November, the Tourism Ministry's analysis of monthly visitor statistics showed yesterday.

And air visitors for the week December 19 to 25 plunged more than 12 percent over last Christmas.

In fact, the number of air visitors to Bermuda to date is a bleak 0.8 percent above 1993.

The only good news was that the average length of stay for air visitors in November increased to 5.7 nights from 5.6 nights.

The number of US visitors fell by eight percent to 22,003 visitors with the biggest falls detected in the North-East, traditionally our biggest US market, and the Mid-West.

Meanwhile, Canada, UK and European November visitor arrivals increased by 22 percent, 13 percent and 8.6 percent.

In all, air arrivals were down 2.8 percent to 28,545 in November. Air and cruise arrivals were down 8.4 percent because there were no cruises to Bermuda this November compared to two during last November.

A Tourism official said it was not unusual to have no ships during the month.

As of December 25, combined air/cruise visitors were up 4.0 percent to 585,923 people, which is 22,410 less than 1993.

Cruise visitors for the year were up 12.4 percent to 172.865 people, while air visitors were up 0.8 percent to 413,058.

BAND MEMBERS STRIKE RIGHT NOTE AWD Band members strike right note The best of Bermuda Regiment Band members received due credit for their musical talents with the announcement of the Annual Achievement Awards winners.

The biggest honour went to the director of music, Capt. Barrett Dill, who was the winner of the Bermuda Regiment's Outstanding Officer of the Year Award.

Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment Lt. Col. David Burch presented the awards at the Band's Christmas dinner held at the Margaret Rose Restaurant.

Other winners were Junior Servicewoman Raynika Brangman, who won the Major L.N. Dunn Cup for the most improved musician; Boy Bandsman Mr. Robert (Robbie) Swainson, who won the Captain Horace Gibbons Cup for the most consistent musician; Lance Cpl. Gabriel Johnston, who received the Ike Callabrass Cup for the most immaculate appearance and bearing; and Lance Cpl. Stamford Jackson, who received the Major Kenneth Dill Cup for the best all-round musician.

POLICE INVESTIGATE MARINE MAYHEM CRM Police investigate marine mayhem Two teenagers were arrested last week for the alleged theft of more than $12,000 of marine equipment.

The youths aged 14 and 17 were taken into custody last week, a Police spokesman said.

Police arrested the youths after receiving 30 reports of theft or damage to boats in the Jews Bay and Riddells Bay area. Other undiscovered break-ins may have also occurred in the area, Police believe.

Boat owners with crafts moored in the area are asked to check for break-ins and report them immediately.

But the task of locating the owners of the stolen goods is proving difficult because most of the stolen goods are not U-marked.

Inquiries should be addressed to the Police Marine Section at 295-0011.

LAUNDRY PLAN IS HOME AND DRY! PLN Laundry plan is home and dry! The Development Applications Board approved and gave planning permission for the Bermuda Commercial Laundromat in Warwick.

Before any building can take place at the Ord Road location, a separate building permit must be applied for and granted.

The laundry is to operate between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and be used for commercial operations only.

The DAB also approved the request for a time extension for a proposed dolphin habitat until February 28.

Owners Westend Properties Ltd. are backing the proposed development on South Road, Southampton, near the Whaler Inn.