make 1999 a bumper year.

A host of new attractions and incentive schemes are aimed at making the facility a "must-see'' stop on every visitor's list.

Staff are currently working hard towards the unveiling of four new exhibits and tempting promotions to bring thousands more visitors through the doors this summer.

Central to the plans is a major shipwreck-to-shore live TV link-up, an ingenious transport scheme and a pass system to appeal to the new "explorer'' tourist.

The BUEI hopes its raft of inducements will boost last year's inaugural season of around 60,000 people -- and make 1999 a better year for visitor numbers.

Marketing director Chris Heslop said they were very excited about the forthcoming season.

"Our goal is to have different things going on to keep people coming back,'' he said.

Of the changes, he said: "It is a learning process for everybody, correcting things that aren't perfect and getting off the ground.'' Most of the new exhibits, which also include a world-beating display of 18th century ships' rigging, show of precious metals and shipwreck link, will come on line in March.

Fibre optic cable from the Pollockshields wreck, just off Elbow Beach, has been laid to the BUEI, and soon visitors will be able to watch live pictures from the 19th century munitions carrier.

In addition, guests at the Elbow Beach hotel will also be able to see what is happening out at sea from the comfort of their own bedroom, and there are plans to add Stonington to the list.

Another addition will be a link to the BUEI website, so potential holidaymakers around the world will be able to experience a real Bermuda shipwreck "as it happens''.

Funding for the project has come from local sponsorship and has been built in conjunction with Logic Communications.

Tapping into 180,000 cruise passengers just three quarters of a mile from the East Broadway facility will be the main focus this summer. A trolley train system is expected to link the centre with Hamilton. It will provide a valuable connection where buses and taxis are not the most ideal mode of transport, and walking the distance can be off-putting in the summer heat.

In addition, a pass is to be brought in, which gives the visitor access to the BUEI, Aquarium, National Trust and Government forts on one easy-to-use ticket.

Other new attractions include a complete set of rigging -- thought to be the finest example in the world of 18th century rigging -- recovered from a French vessel, the L'Union , which sank off Bermuda between 1750 and 1760.

The ropes and blocks have been restored by the renowned Mary Rose Society in England and will form a massive display in the centre.

A private collector has loaned a collection of precious metals, which will go on show in the Shipwreck Gallery.

The selection includes Colonial gold and silver coins found on local shipwrecks.

Finally, a photo-montage exhibit will detail the process of finding, recovering and restoring artefacts discovered on shipwrecks. The picture show will feature the entire procedure for preparing items for museums, from start to finish.

Also planned for later in the year are changes to the dive simulator.