Bermuda's shipping expertise is helping Caribbean nations ensure safety from the vessels visiting their shores.

The Island's experience in inspecting vessels is so well regarded that one of its shipping officials is this week addressing a Caribbean conference on marine standards.

Captain Pat Nawaratne is to lecture delegates at the fourth annual Caribbean Port State Control Committee, being held at Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Mr. Nawaratne, principal marine surveyor at the Bermuda Shipping Registry, believes Bermuda's links with the UK have enabled it to move ahead of other countries.

He will speak on methods used, under the Port State Control, for inspecting freight and passengers vessels in port, ensuring they are safe for Bermuda ports and waters.

"I think the Caribbean Port State Control system is low key and not mature, ours is a mature system. We are part of the UK administration, so our inspections are up to their standards,'' he said.

"I am going to talk about how we implemented the process in Bermuda.'' Bermuda is also well advanced when it comes to the number of vessels it checks.

The Safety of Life at Sea Convention calls for at least 30 percent of ships to be inspected, but Shipping Registry officials manage to check half of the number that enter Hamilton or St. George's., "We are doing quite well but it would be better if we could do more,'' said Captain Nawaratne.

"We require qualified surveyors to do that. With available resources we do what is possible.'' The inspectors carry out extensive surveys of vessels, which can take up to two days for some of the large cruise ships. They check safety equipment, qualifications of officers, pollution control gear and lifeboats as part of the work.

He was asked to attend by the International Maritime Organisation, and will address shipping officials from all the Caribbean nations.

POLICE INVESTIGATE THEFT FROM COMPANY CRM Police investigate theft from company A probe is underway at a Bermuda wholesalers after allegations that staff were caught stealing from the premises.

And yesterday Police confirmed that officers were investigating claims that goods had been stolen from Butterfield and Vallis' Woodlands Road food warehouse.

It is understood the inquiry involves theft of items by up to ten people who are believed to work at the company.

A Police spokesman said last night that they had received a complaint from Butterfield and Vallis management, and were investigating the allegations. No arrests have been made yet.

Police were called in last week when internal inquiries revealed the incidents.

A call to Butterfield and Vallis was not returned last night.

UNUSUAL ACCIDENT AC Unusual accident Police were called to the scene of an unusual road traffic accident on Sunday at St. George's golf course.

There was a collision between a motorcycle and a golf cart on Park Road at 4.40 p.m.

No injuries were reported and both vehicles sustained only minor damage.