she had no idea she was really taking the plunge.

But when she surfaced 20 minutes later, her boyfriend Mr. Gerald Lang was her fiance and she was his bride-to-be.

The Long Islander's underwater proposal at Eastern Blue Cut nearly took Miss Morrison's breath away.

"I almost died saying `Yes' '', she said later.

The couple, who motored to the dive site with Fantasea Diving, were at 40 feet when Mr. Lang made his move.

"I felt something pulling on my leg,'' Miss Morrison said. "I turned and saw Gerald and he made me go to the bottom. He kneeled on the sand and placed a shell in my hand. There was a gold ring inside.'' Mr. Lang then held up a sign with the simple question: "Will you marry me?'' Two boxes below marked one for `yes' and one for `no'.

"My regulator almost fell out of my mouth I was so surprised.'' Miss Morrison grabbed the pencil attached to the board and marked the yes box.

"Then I took out my regulator and kissed him.'' The 24-year native of Arlington, Texas said she had no idea her boyfriend had planned the elaborate proposal.

The couple, who began dating a year ago this week, are visiting the Island for the week before returning to New York.

Mr. Lang, 30, said he thought of the underwater surprise about two months ago.

"I just wanted to do something different,'' he said.

The couple plan to return for their wedding next year.

YES I WILL! -- Mr. Gerald Lang, left, and Miss Bobbie Kay Morrison moments after his surprise proposal in 40-feet of water.