St. George's residents celebrated the opening of the dock for the new fast ferry service yesterday and were promised things may get even better in the future.

Transport Minister Dr Ewart Brown took residents, dignatories and civil servants on a trip aboard the $2.5 million catamaran Resolute yesterday to mark the opening of the new specially designed dock.

Since June, the Old Town has benefited from three trips a day to Dockyard and Hamilton during the week. But outside the cruise ship season, St. George's does not have any ferry service.

Dr Brown said yesterday that Government is ordering two more fast ferries for next summer, similar to Resolute and its sister Serenity, which could lead to the service being expanded.

He told The Royal Gazette the latest ferries may be smaller than the two existing catamarans, and slightly cheaper, and would be used to boost the ferry service.

Government is looking next year at possibly providing a weekend service for St. George's and, if the demand is there, the Old Town may eventually get a commuter service to Hamilton similar to that provided from Rockaway in Southampton.

The opening of the St. George's dock means Government has spent $14 million on special facilities for the front loading catamarans.

At the opening ceremony yesterday, Dr Brown said the new three trip a day weekday ferry service "has provided more travel options for residents and visitors to come to St. George's, and has solidified the town as a major focal point in our public transport system".

St. George's Mayor Henry Hayward said: "We've certainly increased the number of people coming to St. George's, certainly during the cruise ship season and the majority of passengers are off the ships.

"It has not only increased business here, but also in the West End as well with users travelling back and forth enjoying both destinations."