investigation into the parasailing accident which claimed the life of an American visitor earlier this month.

But Insp. Steven Petty of the Police Marine section said the Police investigation will remain open until a decision was made by the Attorney General's chambers "as to a course of action''.

American yachtsman Frank Westendorf died after plunging some 100 feet from a parasail belonging to St. George's Parasailing and Watersports.

A spokesman for the parasailing company had said 54-year-old Mr. Westendorf, from Newport News, Virginia was swimming off Somers Wharf, St. George's when he grabbed the harness of a female parasailer from behind. It was not until the parasail was in the air that Mr. Westendorf was noticed and the driver and crew could not bring him down in time, the spokesman said.

Mr. Westendorf's son Michael recently told The Royal Gazette that his father chose to let go and he did not blame the parasailing company.

The company said it received the green light to reopen from Marine and Ports last Monday.

"Things have been going well,'' a company spokesman said about the first day of operations.

But the company was forced to hire a new captain for the parasailing boat since Marine and Ports prohibited the driver involved in the July 5 accident from returning to work.

Driver Jason Edler was arrested by Police, questioned and released the day after the accident. But the spokesman said he hoped the driver would return to the company as soon as Marine and Ports finished its investigation into Mr.

Westendorf's accident.

Marine and Ports Assistant Director and Harbourmaster Michael Dowling recently told The Royal Gazette that it had been mutually agreed that the crew operating at the time of the accident would not resume their duties until the investigation was completed.

"It depends on the outcome of the investigation whether or not the crew will return to their jobs,'' Mr. Dowling said.