And the last Royal Navy ships to receive warm welcomes from HMS Malabar, the former West Indies Guardship HMS Broadsword , her replacement -- one of the latest Type 23 frigates HMS Monmouth and the supply ship RFA Brambleleaf , all here for base closure and birthday ceremonies, left the Island on Monday.

Container Ship Management reported the arrival of the Oleander on Sunday afternoon. She offloaded 137 dry containers, including 31 refrigerated ones, three 40-foot mafis and seven cars. She left early on Tuesday.

Shipping agents Harnett & Richardson reported the Japanese car ship Gardenia has finally been cleared to take pilot about 8.30 a.m. today and will proceed to Number Seven Dock. An agent said a local pilot tried to board her Tuesday but was unable to due to the stormy weather in the area, which was still affecting the Island yesterday.

Gardenia , carrying a cargo of 73 Japanese-make cars for local car dealers and 83 cases of spare parts, manuals and other materials, waited in Murray's Anchorage.

The Mitsui O.S.K. Lines vessel had left Ulsan near Japan on January 7, stopping in the earthquake-shattered port of Kobe, however, that did not delay her -- foul winter weather did, H&R, which originally expected her on March 16, said.

She stopped in Bermuda after calling in ports in the Panama Canal and Caribbean.

Her next port of call is Nassau in the Bahamas. And she returns to Japan on March 22.

Meyer Agencies reported the Bermuda Islander came in on Monday and sailed Tuesday afternoon. She offloaded 107 containers, including eight refrigerated ones.

The Somers Isles was back on schedule after a two-week absence following a breakdown off Florida after treacherous weather. Her woes worsened when a tug sent out to assist her also developed mechanical problems.

A second tug was finally able to tow her in to Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Meyer said she was due to arrive in Bermuda on Sunday with a "very full load'' of containers.

And the Esso tanker Ivor Explorer called on Monday, sailing the next day.

John S. Darrell had nothing to report. Harbour Radio also had a quiet week.

LAND-AT-LAST -- A quick-footed Royal Navy sailor ties up HMS Broadsword before she `watched over' combined HMS Malabar closure ceremonies.