Crack teams of Bermuda Regiment troops were on standby throughout yesterday, ready to deal with whatever Hurricane Erin could throw at them, but did not have to be called into action.

Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. David Gibbons praised his men for exemplary service during what he called a "useful and very real" test of their abilities.

Despite the fact that Erin bypassed Bermuda without causing any significant damage, soldiers worked closely with Police in helping residents secure their houses and in providing essential warnings to people at the Island's East End, where the storm surge could have been devastating.

In addition, Col Gibbons said two eight -an teams were stationed in at St. George's Police Station and at the Airport and 62 more men were on standby at Warwick Camp in case they were needed for an emergency.

The teams at the Island's East End included Regiment boat crews and medics who have recently returned from training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

He said: "We were very happy that the hurricane didn't materialise into a destructive force but this was a useful exercise in testing our services under very real circumstances."

He added: "On the one hand, the troops were a bit disappointed but on the other they were glad to be able to go home at the end of the day."

Col. Gibbons said many of the soldiers did not even have to be called up before reporting to camp but came on their own after hearing the reports in the media.