But scientists added that, while it is still too early to say how large the area wiped out by the accident is, it represents a very small percentage of Bermuda's entire reef system.

A team of two divers spent yesterday exploring the precious underwater ecosystem in a bid to find out the impact of Wednesday morning's accident, which saw the run aground between Spanish Point and Dockyard.

More than 1,600 passengers and crew were temporarily stranded, until high tide in the evening lifted the vessel free of the reef.

Following the impact, experts predicted that the reef was probably ruined, although heavy sediment prevented divers from inspecting the site until yesterday.

Last night Department of Conservation Services director Jack Ward said that more information was needed before a full assessment of the damage could be made.

"But it's fairly safe to say that there was fairly extensive damage in the vicinity ? the area that was directly impacted was annihilated," he added.

Mr. Ward pointed out that the reef was subject to a two-pronged attack ? firstly from the impact itself and secondly from clouds of sediment stirred up by the accident which resettled on the reef and smothered it.

"The long-term impact will depend on how long that sediment takes to resettle," he said.

He added that, while there are plenty of fish in the area, they will be able to move to other waters not affected by the crash.

"There's plenty of fish in the area but Bermuda's reefs are generally not overstocked," he said.

"In the big picture, this represents just a small section of reef that's available and so the fish will be able to relocate."

But he could not comment precisely on the surface area of the damage.

"We have had a few estimates and they vary widely ? we will have a much better picture by next week," he said.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Biological Station for Research added that station scientists were working with the Department of Conservation Services in an effort to assess the damage ? but that it was too early to say how badly the reef was affected.

"They are working on it right now but really at the moment it's anybody's guess," the spokesman said.

Last night a Government spokeswoman confirmed that the ship had received some damage to the bow area, but was expected to make its way to Philadelphia as scheduled later today.

"An initial inspection by divers found two significant indentations both in the bulbous bow area ? the rounded portion of the bow seen exposed in the water yesterday," the spokeswoman said.

"These indentations will be inspected internally and all expectations are that the ship will be cleared to resume its return journey to the port of Philadelphia tomorrow. A further inspection incorporating a team of divers will be conducted this evening."

The spokeswoman added that an investigation into the incident would be carried out by Senior Nautical Surveyor John MacPartland.

Yesterday Marine & Ports Services Director Francis Richardson praised the rescue effort, singling out tug boat pilots for an operation that was "expertly done".

"This was a genuine team effort and Bermuda should be proud of these men and the manner in which they have gone about this task," Mr. Richardson said.

"Their success averted far more serious consequences to the environment and the economy of the island."