GOVERNMENT'S transportation co-ordinator has admitted for the first time that next year's plan for two mega-cruise ships to visit Dockyard at the same time could cause a "potential lift problem".

Transport expert and Ministry management consultant Larry Jacobs told the Mid-Ocean News that according to next year's cruise schedule, Dockyard will reach maximum capacity every other week, when two Panamax ships will be docked simultaneously for a day.

These Panamax mega-ships are so-called because their size ¿ approximately 1,000 feet long and 100 feet wide ¿ just allows them to fit through the Panama Canal.

When two Panamax ships visit Dockyard, the resulting 5,000-plus visitors and thousands of crew will require transportation ¿ a number that, according to Jacobs, could cause a problem.

"If there is a problem it will be every other week or so on a Monday or Tuesday, when there will two Panamax ships in at the same time," he said. "Dockyard will hit capacity levels, as there will be over 5,000 passengers plus crew. This is when there could be a potential lift problem, with the maximum number of cruise visitors. Knowing that, we intend to deploy buses, ferries and minibuses."

He said he was "not overly concerned" with the increased pressure on Dockyard's transport infrastructure, but noted that getting cruise passengers to the beach could prove difficult.

"We have sufficient ferry service to take people to Hamilton or St. George's," he said.

"If we have a problem, it may occur moving people to the beaches, like Horseshoe Bay. We will deploy additional buses and minibus services. The minibuses come to Dockyard and shuttle people to the beaches. We envision a well-managed system."

While confident that the additional visitors to Dockyard will not cause major transport problems, Mr. Jacobs warned of teething pains during the first few weeks of the new cruise schedule, which commences in April 2009.

"It is a new model; it's the first time we'll have two very large ships in at the same time," he said.

"It's a learning curve for the first couple of visits."

Mr. Jacobs added that the Public Transport Board (PTB) has five additional buses on order for 2009.

UBP senator Charlie Swan (pictured), however, questions the transport infrastructure in the West End, comparing Bermuda's readiness to deal with mega-ship passengers to other Caribbean destinations.

"I've just been on a cruise," he said. "They offer land tours with as many as 60 buses waiting to greet the ship."

There are currently 111 buses in total on Bermuda's roads. Of those, 12 are waiting for parts and 20 are out of service due to accidents or servicing. The PTB confirmed that on top of the five on order for 2009, ten replacement buses will arrive between April and May of next year.

PTB head Dan Simmons believes that by the time the first two mega-ships arrive, Bermuda's bus fleet will be ready to handle the load. He added, however, that he has a contingency plan at the ready should there be a bottleneck in the West End.

"We've had a case where we've had two large ships this year, one in port and one at anchor, and we were able to pull it off," he said.

"Hopefully, it'll be done with less stress this time. It'll be done in concert with Marine & Ports. If something goes wrong, we always have a contingency plan."

Mr. Swan, however, believes a "comprehensive plan" for transport in Dockyard and Somerset is necessary, especially due to the area's narrow roads, many of which do not have pavements.

"Infrastructure needs to be put in place for transport," he said. "The roads in Somerset are at best narrow and winding, and there are issues with people walking or renting mopeds. A comprehensive plan needs to be put into place to look at the logistics of moving that many people around."

Mr. Swan said that, should these large numbers of visitors wish to spend a day at one of Bermuda's famous pink-sand beaches, they will have no choice but to leave the Dockyard area.

"There are a couple of rocky beaches but beyond that, Mangrove Bay is two miles away.

"Cruise passengers have no choice but to leave Dockyard, so there is no choice but a transport overhaul. There's the Maritime Museum and Snorkel Park in Dockyard if the plan is to keep them there. But what is the plan?"