remain in motion.

Last night it emerged that two members of Bermuda Ocean Surgical Services (BOSS) are due to visit the Island today for a look at three possible sites for the time share operation.

Meanwhile reports that the US consortium could not raise the necessary funds to purchase a site for the offshore clinic are circulating.

But these were shot down by BOSS chief executive officer Richard Rymland.

He slammed suggestions that his company could not come up with the money to purchase the Palm Reef Hotel on Harbour Road in Paget.

The sum BOSS failed to reach was quoted at $1 million by one source.

Mr. Rymland said Palm Reef was one of three hotels BOSS was looking at and added that it was still being contemplated.

"That is one hotel we were seriously considering but we did not agree on a price or an offer,'' he said.

A spokesman for the hotel verified Mr. Rymland's announcement and said "there was no deal''.

Mr. Rymland said two of his partners in the plan would be visiting the Island on the weekend to look at the possible sites.

But Mr. Rymland refused to reveal the names of the other properties being considered.

Whilst there is much speculation as to which hotels these might be, sources inside the tourism industry agreed that many small hotels on the Island would accept an offer and sell -- if the price was right.

In October BOSS announced it would not be operating from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital as originally planned.

BOSS said it would be looking for a location where it could provide expanded facilities for patients and fulfil its doctors' requests -- including staff accommodation and larger operating suites.