publication which reaches thousands of coffee tables in America.

The co-publisher of Maritime Quarterly is award-winning America's Cup photographer and journalist Mr. Barry Stevens.

The Australian is on the Island to write and photograph for the article, which will concentrate on local tourism as it relates to sports activities -- especially those involving the ocean.

So far Mr. Stevens has gathered information on the unique Fitted Dinghy racing scene.

Bermuda has already been featured in Maritime Quarterly in the premier issue in April.

The Omega Gold Cup, generally considered one of the best match racing events in the world, in a superb setting (Hamilton Harbour), was the subject of a glossy nine-page spread.

Readers are enticed by colour photographs of bronzed sailors competing in yachts sporting brightly-coloured spinnakers against a sunny backdrop of Bermuda homes and gardens.

Mr. Stevens chose to write about Bermuda in the next edition, which publishes in July, because of its closeness to the United States.

This is his first visit to the Island despite the many yacht races involving Bermuda which take place annually.

He described it as "surprising'' and said the Island's heritage reminded him of Australia.

After seeing the Bermuda Fitted Dinghies in action on the weekend, he came up with the idea of featuring them and the crews as a promotional event during the 1995 America's Cup in California. Mr. Stevens took over the helm of Maritime Quarterly from millionaire Mr. Donald McGraw last September.

Mr. McGraw, whose family owns the largest publishing company in America, McGraw Hill, had started the publication, formerly Nautical Quarterly , as a hobby.

But when circulation topped 20,000, he tired of it and sold it to Mr. Stevens for "virtually a dollar'' after a chance meeting at an Annapolis boat show.

Since the first edition in April, there have been 500 new subscriptions, he said.

The book is also sold at selected US bookstores and through yacht clubs.

The only changes he made were to the name and format. It now features articles on topics other than yacht races.

Mr. Stevens will be signing his book at the RHADC and RBYC clubs this week.

Part of the proceeds from any sales of the $19.50 book will go towards aiding junior sailing programmes.

Mr. Stevens has won 11 Press and photographic awards on three continents during a 20-year career which began at the Sydney Morning Herald.

MR. BARRY STEVENS -- Co-publisher of Maritime Quarterly.