international guidelines in collecting its exhibits.

Complaints that the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute did not have a "collections policy'' were quashed when a copy of the document was sent to The Royal Gazette .

And one of the trustees, Government Finance Minister the Hon. Dr. David Saul slammed the complaints, stating: "There is a policy. There is no ambiguity.'' Its policy clearly states it will not accept stolen or any other illegal artifacts for its collections.

The Institute, planned for East Broadway, has three letters from other similar organisations supporting the policy. The policy says: "This statement governs the collecting activities and collections of the Institute.

"While the programmes of the Institute are not primarily collections-based and the Institute does not expect to build permanent collections, it recognises that the acceptance of any object into a permanent collection creates a significant obligation for the Institute.'' The policy encourages the development of co-operative collecting policies with collecting institutions, historical societies and repositories.

It states: "All donated and purchased materials are to be accompanied by an appropriate written confirmation of title transfer before they may be accepted into the collections.

"The Institute shall adhere to archaeological standards consistent with the approved policies of such international bodies as the International Congress of Museums and shall not knowingly acquire or exhibit artifacts that have been stolen, illegally exported from their country of origin, illegally salvaged or removed from commercially exploited archaeological or historic sites in recent times.

"A commercially exploited site is defined as one in which the primary motive for investigation is private financial gain.'' Earlier the policy sets out the role of the Institute. It states: "The primary purposes of the Institute are to advance the knowledge and understanding of the ocean, from the surface to the deep ocean floor; to encourage the protection and preservation of the marine environment ; to exhibit materials that relate to the underwater marine environment;to promote historical and scientific research related to these topic; and to educate the public concerning the wonders of the undersea realm.

"An additional emphasis of the Institute is to provide visitors with a broad understanding of the history of underwater exploration, both with reference to Bermuda and her nearby waters and internationally.

"Chronologically the Institute reflects the geological and biological development of the oceans and man's history of interaction with the underwater world.'' Organisations sending letters of support for the policy were the Council of American Maritime Museums, National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside and Mystic Seaport Museum, from Connecticut.

The International Congress of Maritime Museums also backed the policy after some clarifications.