The submarine Enterprise may not be exploring the waters around Bermuda this visitor season.

Enterprise owner Mr. Harry Soares MP said he was not yet taking bookings on the underwater craft, and he has told some of his staff members they may look for other jobs.

"I'm not sure if it's going to operate this year,'' Mr. Soares told The Royal Gazette .

Officials from the American Bureau of Shipping were due in Bermuda yesterday afternoon to test and certify the submarine for the season, Mr. Soares said.

"Once we get it all certified, we will then be deciding what the final start-up date will be.'' Last July, the Gazette reported that Mr. Soares, an accountant, had lost millions on the submarine venture, but that the picture was improving as the Island emerged from the recession.

"It was looking like the biggest mistake of my life, financially,'' said Mr.

Soares, who resigned from Cabinet in January of 1992 to devote more time to the Enterprise .

But last summer Mr. Soares said "things have turned around and this is the most confident I've ever felt about it''.

He cited sales that were up by 60 percent over 1993, which in turn were up by 20 percent over 1992. "After severe losses over the last three years, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.'' Yesterday, Mr. Soares would not be specific, but he was again uncertain about the expense of operating the submarine and its future.

But he said he would still be in business this summer, with his glass bottom boat and two other boats licensed to carry passengers.