Service was temporarily interrupted on the new ferry Serenity yesterday.

The ferry experienced a “minor control fault” while on her scheduled Hamilton to Dockyard run, according to Marine and Ports director Barry Coupland.

The problem was not serious enough to inconvenience passengers, he added.

“The master of Serenity decided to operate the vessel on one engine the rest of the way to Dockyard,” Mr. Coupland said.

“She arrived in Dockyard around 11.15 a.m. There was maybe a five or ten minute disruption of service.

“Absolutely no one was in difficulty or danger.”

The new ferry was in Dockyard undergoing adjustments, but was back in business for the 3.30 p.m. from Dockyard.

Mr. Coupland told The Royal Gazette it was not unusual or unexpected for a new vessel to experience a few, small operational difficulties.

“With a new ship of that type you do have to progress through some small problems,” he said. “It's just the rule of the sea.”