Environment Minister Irving Pearman yesterday tore into fishermen over the Xing Da blockade, branding them "irresponsible''.

In particular, he slammed those who tried cutting the rope of a tug towing the ship out of St. George's Harbour.

"Their action put the personnel and equipment involved in the exercise at great risk,'' he told the House of Assembly.

"I am sure Honourable Members will join me in condemning this act as irresponsible and unnecessary.'' Mr. Pearman said fishermen's concerns over the sinking of the Xing Da had been carefully considered.

And he went on to praise those who took part in the sinking -- Marine and Ports, the Ministry of Environment, Marine Police and local divers.

"I must especially mention the crew of the tug Faithful , who carried out their duties yesterday in an exceptionally professional manner in trying circumstances.'' He added the rusting Chinese vessel -- to be used as a diving site -- was now sitting upright on the bottom.

"Her mast is at a depth of 35 feet, her deck at 65 feet and her hull at 95 feet below the surface.

"Shortly after the sinking, more than 40 divers dived on the site, and reported that all safety and positioning criteria appear to have been met.'' Mr. Pearman told MPs about one third of the ship was resting on the coral reef.

"This damaged area of approximately 100 square metres is minuscule when compared to the hundreds of square kilometres of similar reef on the platform.

"The ship will act as an artificial reef and attract fish and marine life in substantial numbers.'' The Xing Da was finally laid to rest in 100 feet of water several miles off Dockyard, in Eastern Blue Cut.

Thursday's sinking sparked a furious row between Government, fishermen and the Bermuda Industrial Union.

The BIU accused Government of putting cash before the environment and ignoring advice from its own officials about where to sink the vessel.

Pearman blasts fishermen for ship blockade BIU president Derrick Burgess stressed the union and fishermen were not against the sinking of the Xing Da but were against the site chosen which could harm reefs and affect migrating fish, as well as flying fish and lobster.

But Government said the site picked for the sinking was the best available and was chosen after months of consultations.

The Xing Da set sail from China last July only to be captured by US Coast Guards the following October in a sting operation that broke a US smuggling ring. She was towed into Bermuda's water and the 83 Chinese passengers and 26 crew were eventually flown back to China.

Yesterday Mr. Pearman said Government had initially felt the Xing Da should be removed from Bermuda within 48 hours.

"However, local divers urged us to keep the vessel in Bermuda, to be sunk and used as a diving site.

"The Department of Tourism believes that recreational diving is a sport which adds to Bermuda's attraction as a tourist destination, and should be developed and supported.

"The reefs and wrecks surrounding Bermuda are unrivalled in most destinations, and the provision of this Chinese ship as a diving site can only enhance Bermuda's reputation.'' Mr. Pearman said the US Government agreed to leave the vessel in Bermuda and to pay for the cost of cleaning the vessel before the sinking.

The US authorities also agreed to pay for the cost of clean-up operations, not to exceed $60,000.

"I can report that the clean-up was accomplished within this budget.'' Mr. Pearman explained a committee, including representatives from the Marine and Ports, Environment Ministry, Department of Fisheries, the diving industry and National Trust, examined plans to sink the vessel. And chose a site.

"A site was selected only after extensive underwater surveys of the reef platform, and the committee was unanimous that the best site had been chosen.

"The Marine Resources Board accepted the committee's recommendation on condition that permanent moorings were put in place, and provided the Protected Area, or No-Fishing Zone, was limited to a radius of 200 metres.'' Mr. Pearman said compared to the standard restriction of 500 metres, a 200-metre radius would result in an 84 percent reduction in the total area of the No-Fishing Zone.

"This proposal is considered to be in the best interests of commercial fishermen, but will not impinge on the safety of divers.'' Mr. Pearman said concern had been expressed that local commercial fishermen were not represented on the committee.

"We felt at the time that the inclusion of the Senior Fisheries Officer was sufficient to safeguard the interests of the fishermen.

"Nevertheless, I wish to confirm that the concerns raised by the fishermen over the last week were carefully considered by technical officers, the committee and the Marine Resources Board.'' He added: "It was unfortunate that commercial fishermen saw fit to blockade the Xing Da yesterday, in an attempt to prevent her being taken to sea.''