While many consider Bermuda a sub-tropical haven in the Atlantic Ocean, at least one man decided he'd had enough of heaven and was getting out.

The Bermuda Islander had to re-route back to Bermuda yesterday morning after a local man was detected on board trying to stowaway to the ship's next port of call -- Salem, New Jersey.

Shipping agent Joe Simas of Meyer Agencies told The Royal Gazette the interloper was spotted emerging from the ship's engine room around mid morning.

"The chief engineer saw him walk out of the engine room and thought `I don't know him'. He called out to him and then he stopped the man. The guy didn't put up a fight or anything,'' said Mr. Simas.

Ship captain Willem Smit sent a fax to the company alerting them of the stowaway and that the Islander was turning back.

The boat crasher was reportedly a 37-year-old Devonshire man.

Neither Police not the shipping agents seem to know why the man was trying to flee Bermuda. Mr. Simas said he probably "wanted a free trip to the United States.'' The stowaway was easily subdued however, he said, pointing out that Captain Smit even felt comfortable enough with the stowaway to ensure he was fed sandwiches as the freighter made its way back to the Island.

Police arrested the man for boarding a ship without permission when he was handed over to officers in St. David's. Boarding a ship without permission is a summary offence, Police told The Royal Gazette last night. The man is also being charged with stowing away, a separate offence.

Stowaway returned to Bermuda Finding a Bermudian stowaway was definitely a first for Meyer Agencies. "This is the first time this has happened on one of my ships,'' Mr. Simas said. "We sometimes get people trying to stowaway to Bermuda, but not going the other way.'' The shipping agents have no idea how the man managed to sneak on board the ship but said it must have been sometime overnight on Thursday.

"The ship is docked at Number 8 dock and Bermuda is considered a safe port,'' Mr. Simas said, therefore security is not as tight as it might be elsewhere.

The Bermuda Islander arrives on Thursdays and departs early Friday, making its way to New Jersey for Monday morning.

Yesterday the boat left at 8 a.m. but it was not until almost three hours later the unauthorised passenger was found.

He was handed over to Police around 1.30 p.m. and remained in Police custody last night.