Government pilots aboard the cruise ship Horizon recommended not trying to leave St. George's Harbour in a June gale that saw the vessel nearly smash into Ordnance Island and graze an anchored yacht, The Royal Gazette has learned.

A special Ports Authority investigation into the June 11 incident also concluded the ship must never again stray from formal restrictions safeguarding her movements.

Investigators remain tight-lipped about the details of their findings, but it is clear they concluded the ship was operating dangerously beyond her safety guidelines.

The incident occurred as the 682-foot Horizon tried to leave St. George's Harbour in winds gusting to 40 knots and more.

Shortly after moving from Penno's Wharf, the high-sided ship was pushed by southwesterly winds toward Ordnance Island and Convict Bay beyond where yachts lay at anchor.

The ship dropped her anchor to counter the winds, but not before she grazed alongside the 33-foot yacht British Steel . Other nearby yachts scrambled to safety.

British Steel skipper Mr. William Douglass, whose boat was damaged by Horizon , described the 42,000-ton, 12-deck ship as a huge, moving building bearing down on him. The Government tug Faithful moved in at the last second to hold her off the yacht.

Last night, a participant in the Ports Authority investigation said Marine and Ports pilots aboard the ship had advised the captain not to try leaving St.

George's.

"Our pilots preferred not to do it,'' he said. "As far as I'm made to understand, the captain wanted to. That's what they wanted to do, so we said we'd help.'' Maritime practice holds that the captain has the last say on the movement of his vessel and can override pilot advice.

Marine and Ports director Mr. Ron Ross declined comment on the investigation other than to say the ship would strictly adhere to guidelines adopted in 1990 when she began her Bermuda service.

It is understood the guidelines said the ship should not attempt to enter or leave St. George's Harbour in winds much greater than 18 knots. Leniency is granted the captain for passage in winds up to 25 knots depending on their direction.

Any movements in higher winds are a matter for discussion between the captain and pilots.

One official said the ship had eased adherence to her guidelines as she gained practical experience in navigating the tight Town Cut entrance to the harbour.

Officials participating in the investigation included Mr. Ross, Capt. Ioannis Miskis, vice president of Chandris Celebrity Cruises, the owners of the vessel; Horizon captain Fokion Arbavanis, Capt. John Moore, operations director for Meyer Agencies, the ship's local agent; Marine and Ports deputy director Mr. Russell Southern and Harbourmaster Mr. Ian Clarke.

Mr. Douglass, whose trans-Atlantic journey was delayed while repairs were made to British Steel , last week blasted Capt. Arbavanis's decision to go in the midst of a gale.

In a Letter to the Editor, he said the captain's "let's go for it mentality, with a total disregard for the lives and property of the yachts anchored in St. George's was an unconscionable act and an insult to all professional mariners.'' He expressed his thanks to Capt. Moore, marine surveyor Mr. Alan Davidson and the crew of the tug Faithful "who may well have saved our lives.

"To Charlie and Debbie Loader, our sincere thanks. They treated us like family. Their help and concern for our welfare and Charlie's excellent job in repairing our yacht is greatly appreciated.''