transit of the US Navy dry dock Sustain to King's Wharf.

Today the 533 foot long and 124 foot wide dry dock is currently on station about six miles to the south east.

Two tugs, the Ensign and the Crusader , on contract to the Navy and owned by the shipping firm Crowley, are assisting Bermuda Government tugs in monitoring the dry dock.

It was on a coastal journey from Norfolk, Virginia to Jacksonville, Florida when tow lines broke in heavy seas.

Temporary lines were finally attached and it was eventually decided to put in to the relatively closer Bermuda to effect full repairs.

The Sustain was inspected by a team of Marine and Ports officials, led by director Ron Ross, and included the harbourmaster Michael Dolding, warden of pilots Keith Battersbe, and ministry official Harold Millet.

Mr. Battersbee will be responsible for the transit of the dry dock through the 500 foot wide Narrows Channel.

It is expected to be an all day operation, travelling at between one and four knots.

Yesterday Mr. Ross said of the pilot warden's responsibility in the operation: "He'll need to be sure in his mind he is positioned where he needs to be before he brings it through.'' Another difficulty is the Sustain , at 46 feet, is very high sided and may act like a sail in higher winds.

Consulting with the Marine and Ports team to get the dry dock to inshore waters are a US Navy and a Crowley salvage master.

There are also two US Navy supply ships on station off Bermuda, the 753 foot by 107 foot Supply and the 524 foot by 72 foot Saturn .

Sea Knight twin rotor cargo helicopters have been seen transferring between the two ships.

In regular shipping news, agents Meyer Shipping reported the Somers Isle arrived on Sunday with 93 dry and seven refrigerated containers, five boats, and 60 bundles of building materials.

It sailed on Monday on a return trip to Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Another Meyer ship, the Bermuda Islander will arrive in Hamilton tomorrow morning from Salem, NJ, with 87 dry and 20 refrigerated containers, and one boat. It will depart on Friday.

Today the Dutch registered liquid propane gas vessel Coral Acropora will arrive at the Esso oil docks off St. George Island.

And on Sunday the Oleander arrived with 105 dry and 34 refrigerated containers, 16 cars, two golf carts and one Catepillar tractor. It departed on Tuesday.