A new fast ferry catamaran for the east end of the Island has been officially launched with Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown hinting at plans underway to reduce the public?s reliance on cars for getting around the Island.

The new ferry was christened in memory of St. David?s islander the late Charles Hilgrove Gawthorpe (Warbaby) Fox at a ceremony at Pennos Wharf, St. George?s yesterday evening.

It is seen as another step in the Transport Minister?s vision to increase the options for the public to use alternative transport to commute and travel from St. George?s to Hamilton and Dockyard.

Able to reach speeds of 33 knots and with a sleek design, the new Connecticut-built catamaran can carry 350 passengers.

Dr. Brown made a light-hearted joke about the ferry being an attempt at international diplomacy as it sports the blues of St. George?s and carries the name of St. David?s local legend Charles Fox.

He said: ?Hopefully the warring factions can agree to use the ferry in the spirit in which it was intended and not wage war between the independent nations of St. David?s and the Republic of St. George?s.?

He also had a more serious message, stating: ?The aim of this ferry is to make commuters out of those residents of the east end who for whatever reason have been accustomed to driving their cars to work.

?The number of cars on our roads has become a quality of life issue now and I have set about in earnest devising some fundamental shifts to the pattern of vehicle ownership in Bermuda as well as the provision of increased public transport.

?To preserve our quality of life we must control the seemingly unbridled growth in the number of vehicles on the road. I cannot say that everyone will be happy about the measures that will be implemented but the greater good must be served and sometimes to do that means making unpopular decisions.?

One decision that proved popular, as evident by the reaction of the many invited guests at the naming of the new ferry, was the decision to honour another of Bermuda?s favourite sons, this time it was the late Mr. Fox who died in 1966 but was represented at the ceremony by his son Albert Peter Fox and daughter Janet Tolaram.

The audience was told Mr. Fox picked up his ?Warbaby? nickname through his approach to life and determination to succeed with respect for others but also from a dogged determination that was epitomised by his sporting endeavours as a founder of the St. David?s cricket team and performances in the Gosling?s Cup Match.

Along St. Luke?s AME Church pastor Deyone Douglas, Dr. Brown and other members of the Fox family, she christened the new ferry by smashing a bottle of champagne against the hull before the vessel was taken for a trip around the harbour.

Mr. Fox operated the Black Horse Tavern and the Blue Marlin Restaurant in St. David?s and was a prominent figure in the Eastern County Cricket scene.

In his younger days he worked as a pilot on gigs that raced out to meet incoming ships and guide them into harbour. He was also a deep-sea fisherman who travelled around the Caribbean and Americas.

Dr. Brown said: ?He now joins Teddy and Dadda Stowe, Sparky Lightbourne and Charles Lloyd Tucker as men of honour and men of character whose lives will be remembered for generations.

?It has been observed that the wealth of a nation is to be found in its stories. I have personally committed myself to recognising Bermudian icons for that very reason. I want the child to ask his parents ?who was Warbaby Fox?? and I want that parent to be equipped to give an answer.?