Government yesterday called for Bermuda Regiment volunteers to help with the rehabilitation of essential services in the Cayman Islands which has been devastated by Hurricane Ivan.

At a Government House Press conference Governor Sir John Vereker, Premier Alex Scott and Acting Regiment Commanding Officer Major Brian Gonsalves urged able-bodied Bermudians to volunteer by showing up at the canteen of the Regiment?s Warwick Camp this evening at 7 p.m.

Employers of would-be volunteers are asked to do their part by agreeing to give them at least two weeks leave.

?The main objective of the deployment will be to help restore normal services by clearing roads, helping with the rehabilitation of housing, clearing areas surrounding key public buildings and surrounding areas,? the Governor announced.

?The presence of a uniformed and disciplined body should also provide some reassurance of action for the people who are suffering significant hardship. The Bermuda Regiment will not be required to support the civil authority in the maintenance of law and order and they will be deployed without weapons.?

Mr. Scott extended the call to people who are not currently members of the Regiment, saying that special arrangements would have to be made.

And Acting CO Gonsalves added that civilian volunteers would probably have to be sworn in to the Regiment for Cayman duty.

He said that there were roughly 50 volunteers already who were waiting for confirmation. He explained that the deployment will last a total of one month. The first group of about 30 soldiers leave on Friday for two weeks, and it is hoped some of them will volunteer to stay another two weeks.

?The (initial) team will comprise a Command and Quartermaster unit, a specialist skills unit and three general support units,? the Governor said.

?We are today calling for volunteers to help our fellow Overseas Territory in its hour of need.?

The Cayman Islands Government had requested Bermuda?s help and three Regiment officers made a reconnaissance mission there last week. The Governor authorised the deployment yesterday.

?Our recce team reported that almost all the schools, three quarters of the private homes, and half of the vehicles in Grand Cayman were damaged,? Sir John continued. ?Power lines and water mains have been washed away. There is extensive debris throughout the Island. The effects of our own hurricane, Fabian, will be fresh in our memories but is clear that the damage caused by Hurricane Ivan, particularly to housing, is worse and will take longer to repair. I know I speak for all Bermudians in expressing our sympathy with the families of those, mercifully few, who lost their lives and with the many who lost their homes and livelihoods.?

The Governor added that while the Cayman Islands had asked the UK to contribute to the cost of the Regiment deployment, they had also indicated that they were prepared to pay for it themselves.

?This is a tribute both to the work of the recce team and to the reputation of the Bermuda Regiment.?

Bermuda has already assisted the Caymans with a contingent of Police officers who have been helping to maintain public order, and Government has also facilitated the temporary relocation of Cayman companies here.

?I am not embodying the Regiment. I am calling for those who are willing and able to help to come forward voluntarily, and we believe many in Bermuda stand ready to do so,? the Governor said.

?And, second, I am calling on employers of those who volunteer to be prepared to release their staff for a period of at least two weeks, accepting that in current circumstances the needs of the Cayman Islands are greater than ours.?

?Bermuda works best when we work together,? said the Premier.