HALIFAX -- A week after its startup the ferry service between southwestern Nova Scotia and Maine has announced it will temporarily remove its vessel from service for maintenance.

Nova Star Cruises Ltd. says it will cancel sailings between Yarmouth, N.S. and Portland, Maine next Tuesday through Thursday.

The company says the 48-hour maintenance to the Nova Star will involve the replacement of the ship's marine evacuation system, which includes an inflatable chute and four life rafts.

The company was required to activate the system during an inspection last month by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Nova Star Cruises says the ferry has been operating with a loaned system and the maintenance time is needed to replace it with the original safety system.

The company says it will offer refunds for the cancelled departures and the ferry will resume regular service on May 29 from Portland.