this weekend planning exhibitions and attractions for the proposed $10 million Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

Among them were National Geographic magazine editor Mr. William Graves, Jaws author Mr. Peter Benchley, Philadelphia Maritime Museum president Mr. John Carter and Maryland shark specialist Dr. Eugenie Clark.

The group also came up with an internationally accepted collections policy, BUEI trustee the Hon. David Saul said yesterday.

The estimated 200,000 people a year who buy tickets to the high-tech institute will get "a passport to the deep'', Finance Minister Dr. Saul said.

Visitors can scuba dive, visit different parts of the world's oceans, explore wrecks -- even be a whale attacking a giant squid.

"They will enter a Disney World kind of place, starting at the bottom of the ocean and moving up,'' he said. "Nowhere in the world is underwater research put in layman's language like we plan to. Everyone who goes through its doors will come out saying `wow'.'' Visitors will be able to engage in observation, manipulation, simulation and new media technologies to learn about marine life and mysteries of the deep, Dr. Saul said.

The scientists' proposals for exhibits and attractions will be put onto paper by one of three leading design groups.

Dr. Saul added a reception hosted by Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and attended by Governor Lord Waddington had revealed wide support for the BUEI.

He believed the BUEI Trustees' fundraising efforts would be supplemented greatly by private individuals, enabling them to surpass their $5 million target.

The BUEI will be a model for a similar institute in Hawaii, Dr. Saul noted.

The group of scientists decided the primary message of exhibits and programmes should be the importance of protecting the ocean.

The BUEI is planned for East Broadway on land next to Fidelity International headquarters.

The plans, objected to by the Bermuda National Trust -- on grounds of size, height and infringements on the foreshore and neighbouring historic property -- are currently before the Development Applications Board.

If approval is given, it is expected that the planning, design, fundraising and construction activities will bring the institute to its opening in late 1995 or early 1996.