Fishermen rescued as boat began sinking

A fishing trip was cut short for three men yesterday when their 24 ft motorboat began taking on water.

Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre was notified of the problem around 5 p.m., amid fears the boat might be sinking.

The vessel was located around four miles north east of Daniel's Head in the West End at the time. According to a centre spokesman, the Police boat Heron 3 was sent to conduct a search. The boat was found and towed back to its mooring at Mangrove Bay in Somerset just after 7 p.m.

Registration now open for HIP

The Health Insurance Department has advised the public that open registration is now on for the Government of Bermuda's Health Insurance Plan.

The open registration for HIP will run until September 15, and there is no requirement for a medical examination during this period.

People interested can learn more about coverage details applications from the Health Insurance Department office, 2nd floor, Sofia House, 48 Church Street, Hamilton. Alternatively, call 295-9210 or log on to the website www.hip.gov.bm.

Waste collection schedule changed

West End residents will not get their waste collected on Monday due to Labour Day.

The collection will take place on Tuesday instead.

Meanwhile, trash will be collected from the East End on Wednesday, a day later than usual.

Today's collection schedule will be unaffected by the holiday.

Moonlight Movies at the Arboretum postponed

Free outdoor movies at the Arboretum have been cancelled this weekend due to a lack of sponsors.

The Moonlight Movies events have been taking place through the summer. More were listed to show at the Arboretum tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday), although the featured films had not been announced.

Yesterday, organiser Eugene Dean of Startime productions said the series has been postponed until further notice.

"We would like to thank our sponsors, Cellular One, Ace and Validus Re, for the support they have given to the series and we pray that their efforts are both recognised and replicated by others in the weeks to come," he said. "Please note that our sales team is currently soliciting additional sponsors and once adequate funding has been secured, our intention is for the series to resume.

"We apologise to all of our patrons who were looking forward to outdoor movies at the Arboretum during the Labour Day weekend and pray that you have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend with your family nonetheless."

Mr. Dean urged people to visit the website www.moonlightmovieseries.com for updates.

Warwick Camp returns to regular training

The summer holidays are over for students and soldiers after Monday's Labour Day celebrations.

Thousands of students will be heading back to their school rooms next week as the Bermuda Regiment soldiers prepare for a return to regular training.

The Quartermaster Company and Support Company are expected back on September 8, the Training Company and Methods of Instruction Cadre will return on September 9, and the Alpha Company will start on September 14. Major George Jones said: "Soldiers who have inquiries about their schedules should contact their company office directly for further details.

"The Regiment would also like to thank employers and families for their ongoing assistance and for allowing our soldiers to complete their duties in accordance with their legal obligations."

Fishermen find 30 foot long powerboat

An empty 30ft powerboat believed to belong to a luxury yacht was found at sea by fishermen on Wednesday.

The vessel was spotted at about 1.30 p.m. off Mills buoy, a beacon about 2.5 miles north west of St. George's.

A duty officer at Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre said: "It's a landing craft which the big motor yachts use to come ashore. We think we have located it to a previous motor yacht that arrived in Bermuda in July.

"Before they arrived, they notified Customs that they lost one of their tenders overboard. There was no persons on board. It must have been bobbing around for a couple of weeks."

The officer said Customs would get in touch with the owners of the yacht to notify them that the boat had been found.