arrival of two US Navy vessels.

The Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates USS Hayler and USS Carr are due to arrive in Dockyard on January 10 where they are scheduled to pick up Tiger cruisers for the voyage back to the US, reported John S. Darrell spokesman Saleem Talbot.

Tiger cruisers are friends and family of US seamen who join them on their respective ships for short voyages -- normally to the US -- during peacetime.

The Tiger cruisers will fly into the Island earlier in the day.

Also expected in on Sunday is the Oleander , said Container Ship Management spokeswoman Glennis Dickinson.

The ship sailed on Monday of this week for Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, after off-loading 30 refrigerated and 123 dry containers plus 31 cars, two excavators and two flat bed trailers carrying building materials and structural steel.

The Somers Isles is due to arrive on January 10 as well, added Meyer Agencies' freight department spokesman Stephen Paynter.

The container vessel sails today from Fernandina Beach, Florida, and as of yesterday afternoon a cargo count was unavailable.

But the first vessel due in this week is the Bermuda Islander tomorrow, noted Mr. Paynter.

The container ship is due in Hamilton Harbour from Salem, New Jersey, with 73 containers -- including 17 refrigerated containers -- on board.

AT EASE -- The Oliver Hazard Perry class US frigate USS Nicholas spent about two hours in Dockyard recently where it refuelled before heading back out to sea.