The weather forecasters had predicted the equivalent of an meteorological bomb but yesterday the boat parade went ahead anyway to rave reviews from an appreciative crowd.

The on-off, on-off spectacular, which is now the most popular in Bermuda?s calendar after attracting one third of the island last year, was most definitely on again yesterday after last week?s cancellation.

Around 40 sparkling crafts took the water in warm weather with hardly a drop of rain to dampen the occasion while organiser Steve Thomson said the slightly overcast skies were an advantage by blocking out scene-stealing stars.

Spectator Sandi Marshall said: ?It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful.?

She said the towering Johnny Barnes figure, complete with those famous waving hands, was her favourite. That craft, by John Carr of Marketplace, won best boat but the overall standard was high.

?I am so impressed so many people came after it was cancelled last week,? she said. ?It?s incredible the amount of work they put in.?

Forecasters had for the most of the week predicted the worst, said a relieved Mr. Thomson as he enjoyed last night?s show.

?They said there would be a ?bomb? with five systems converging all at once, even yesterday they were predicting a gale-force thunderstorm.?

Last week?s event had been cancelled due to 35 knot winds which threatened the sail boats while the combination of rain, electrical generators and small children had not been deemed particularly safe.

But it all came good last night. Spectator Clare James of DolphinQuest was impressed with her first Bermuda boat parade and put in a deserved plug for the DolphinQuest shark.

The outline of a snag-toothed sea menace was as detailed as you would expect from marine professionals and featured moving fins, tail and snapping jaw as it zig-zagged its way up the harbour.

Other eye-catching designs including an effort from Fairmont with dancing light-clad human extras adding a pleasing shimmer to the display.

All the best ideas seem to feature some sort of movement including a wine glass being filled and re-filled ? mirroring the festive habits of much of the crowd.

A train with rising puffs of steam and rolling wheels got big applause, as well as an award for best small powerboat, while a swimming turtle was simple but effective.

Some of the designs were harder to fathom including one which seemed to feature an empty chair and a small Santa, although it had the advantage of its own sound system which had small children rocking in the aisles at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

A particular favourite was ?Go with the Flo? ? a flying tribute to the famous flamingo abscondee from the Aquarium, which was as well-executed at it was topical. It won prize for the most humorous from the judges.