21st century REPORTING BY Stephen Breen, Ben Greening and Patrick Burgess Bermuda partied into the New Millennium in a celebration beamed across the world and woke up relieved to discover the Y2K computer bug had failed to have any serious effect.

When the onion was lowered in St George, Premier Jennifer Smith's New Year message was broadcast around the globe live through US network channel MSNBC, which had taken satelite pictures from ZBM.

Thousands enjoyed the Island's biggest New Year's Eve party at the Royal Naval Dockyard, but the event was spoiled for some who blamed poor organisation for delays of hours for ferries and crushes as they waited to get on board (See story below).

West End Development Corporation special events coordinator Miranda Mello said financial constraints prevented more boats being used.

The Time Warp 2000 concert and fireworks display was voted a resounding success, but frustrated party-goers described dangerous crushes.

On Saturday, it was Hamilton's turn to pop the champagne corks as crowds streamed into the centre of the capital for the Millenniafest. Local musicians performed hits from the likes of James Brown, Barbara Streisand and Billie Holiday in the Salute to the Stars of the Century Concert, while children and adults enjoyed fun castles, face-painting and stalls selling arts and crafts, books and food.

Front, Reid, Queen, Burnaby and Church Streets were closed off together with the City Hall parking lot for the entertainment on four stages.

There were no major Y2K problems reported on the Island as all critical systems and vital services ran as smoothly as normal.

All of Government's 28 critical systems were Y2K-free with only two small computer glitches detected and the utilities, Bermuda Stock Exchange and banks reported no problems. Development, Opportunity and Government Services Minister Terry Lister said: "The Y2K Project Management Office has given Government a green light with what they describe as a considerable degree of confidence.

"I would add only this rider: As Y2K specialists around the world have said during the last couple of days, the real test of a system is using it normally over a long period of time.

"It will be some weeks yet before we can be 100 percent sure that the work that has been done is foolproof. We hope it will be - we anticipate it will be.'' Government ploughed $250,000 into making the Millennium parties across the Island a success.

The Premier took full advantage of the global television audience to showcase the Island. After the countdown when the onion was lowered in King's Square, she said: "New Year's greetings around the world from the 17th century living heart of St George.'' Although the square was not packed to bursting, the crowd enjoyed great entertainment from leading Bermudian singer Pinky Steede, Shine Hayward and Friends, the Bermuda National Youth Jazz Ensemble, MC Nadanja Bailey, the Bermuda African Dancers, the Hot Spice limbo dancers and the Gombeys.

Bermuda joins global party The celebrations ended on a high note with a 15 minute fireworks display over the harbour.

There was a spirit of unity among the thousands at the Royal Naval Dockyard's Time Warp 2000 concert as acclaimed Bermudian singer Heather Nova led the crowd in a rendition of Bob Marley's classic "One Love'' shortly before midnight.

The New Year was ushered in by lone piper Keith Stewart who stood on top of the clocktower and played "Auld Lang Syne.'' As trance music was belted out from huge speakers, the sky was lit up with a dazzling firework show.

From around 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. the crowds enjoyed every type of music from Motown to soca to rock'n'roll and disco.

But the party ended on a sour note for some who blamed poor management for crushes at the ferries.

Police were called to restore order as what one party-goer described as "a seething mass of people'' tried to board one of only three ferries bound for Hamilton after midnight.

Revellers described frightening scenes as people panicked and tried to rush on-board the ferries after waiting for hours.

One woman who waited for two hours called it a "stupid and dangerous'' situation. "It was an awful experience. I missed the first ferry simply because there were too many people trying to get on.

"I was terrified I was going to be thrown into the sea because the barriers in front of me were so flimsy.'' Organiser Mrs. Mello conceded organisation of queues at the wharf could have been better.