Organisers are lauding the success of this year's Christmas Boat Parade which in just three attempts has shown itself to be the Island's biggest community event.

Thousands packed more than 500 spectator boats in Hamilton Harbour and many more flocked to roadside vantage points on Front Street and Pitt's Bay Road and Harbour Road.

Spokesman for the five-person organising committee for the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute's Annual boat parade, Steve Thomson said yesterday: "This year's parade was a resounding success! "It went off magnificently -- just fabulous,'' Mr. Thomson added. "It was won by David Panchaud's "Puff the Magic Dragon''. That was an absolutely beautiful and creative boat. Phenomenal.

"We're estimating something approaching 20,000 people out there,'' he said.

"That's much more than last year. I don't think we're wrong when you consider there were 500 spectator boats, and the fact there were huge, Monday morning rush hour like traffic jams and the number of parties at houses on Harbour Road.

"It seemed like every house on Harbour Road had a party going on. We like that,'' he continued.

"I'm told that every restaurant had a party and some were sold out just for that night a whole year ago. People invited their friends and had a party.

That's the kind of thing we want to encourage.'' Mr. Thomson added: "I want to thank all the people who decided to participate. They spent countless hours on their displays to participate. And it was great to see how people reacted to their craftsmanship.'' Soon the organisers will conduct a standard post mortem, they will have to discuss how to encourage more participation.

Boat parade organisers ponder success While not disappointed by the field, the effort involved -- thousands of letters and phone calls -- was five times last year's and other methods to boost the number of floats, including a biannual parade will be discussed.

"That's the challenge,'' Mr. Thomson explained. "How do we marshal the growth of the event. Yes, we lost a few boats this year, but it is still the best attended event in the Island. We are motivated by the need to put on a great event and that's what we intend to do.'' The Committee are Norma Thomson, Chair Ian Coles, Chris Heslop, Jens Maitland, and treasurer, Mr. Thomson.

The sponsors were: Cable and Wireless, XL Insurance, Friesenbruch-Meyer, American Airlines, Bacardi, Mailboxes Unlimited, and the Ministry of Environment, Development and Opportunity.

Tourism Minister David Allen presented 30 prizes to entrants. Mr. Thomson also thanked Jonathan Trott of Spanish Town International for providing the public address system.

A huge fireworks display capped the evening's festivities, beginning precisely at 8 p.m. as the boats rounded White's Island, directly across from the Flag Pole on Front Street.

Mr. Panchaud's Pipe Dreams won Best Boat Overall while the Bermuda Biological Station's MV Henry Stommel won the Best Commercial Boat.

Winner of the Best Sailboat was Andrew Barshawe's Night Wind ; Bill Pittman's Sylvester earned the best power boat under 30 feet award; for power boat over 30 feet Michael Childers' Good Time won that honour.

The most creative boat was Shearwater owned by Will Cox and the boat with the best Christmas theme was Escargot owned by James Camara. Most traditional themed boat was Clarissa owned by Simon Templeman.

John Carr's Nomad snatched the best use of humour and originality award and Terry Mahonie earned the best use of lights and animation award.

Photos by Arthur Bean Catch of the parade: Pauline Gamble (left), Kevin Neeley (rear) and Chris Gerbing (right) tend to the Bermuda Biological Station for Research's main mermaid, Audrey Pope, who graced a giant scallop shell atop the MV Henry Stommel in Saturday night's Christmas boat parade. A crew of about 20 Bio-station volunteers were rewarded for their efforts and claimed first prize in the commercial boats field. (Below) David Panchaud' Pipe Dreams took overall top honours with the smoke-breathing, crowd pleasing `Puff the Magic Dragon' Light show: People were out en masses Saturday night for the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute's third annual Christmas boat parade. Over 60 boats decorated with Christmas light entertained a crowed -- estimated up to 20,000 strong -- lined six bodies deep in places along Hamilton's waterfront and Harbour Road.