present last night which will boost its global-change research off Bermuda.

An Alabama resident with an interest in marine science decided last month to donate his 44-foot cabin cruiser to the BBSR.

The RV Curlew arrived in Bermuda yesterday evening, brought across from Fort Lauderdale by Mr. Nick Hutchings and Mr. Harry Barnes of the Biological Station and veteran local diver Mr. Teddy Tucker, who was the skipper.

BBSR director Dr. Tony Knap explained that because of the depressed boat market, due to the recession, Mr. Allan Johnson, an executive with the Coca Cola company, was unable to sell his 1987 Kong and Halvorsen sedan cruiser.

So rather than selling it for far less than its worth, Mr. Johnson, who has had informal dealings with the BBSR, chose to donate it to a worthy cause.

"We are very pleased he chose us -- there are a number of US-based research stations he could have given it to,'' said Dr. Knap.

The RV Curlew will supplement the Weatherbird II in the station's offshore research and bring the BBSR's research vessel fleet up to three boats.

The cabin cruiser has two staterooms, a galley, saloon, two heads, a flying bridge and a lower wheelhouse.