PREMIER Alex Scott yesterday said he turned down the offer of Royal Navy manpower to assist in the island's recovery operation after Hurricane Fabian, because he had not wanted to "steal the Bermuda Regiment's thunder".

Mr. Scott was responding to comments made by Opposition Leader Dr. Grant Gibbons, who had questioned the wisdom of rejecting the help of the British Navy ships which patrol the region at this time of year carrying emergency supplies and men to help out countries hit by hurricanes.

The Premier said the supplies, such as tents and blankets, could be better used elsewhere, while he said the Regiment's success in cleaning up after the storm had convinced him there had been no need for extra manpower.

The ships were off the coast of Belize a week ago and could have arrived here by Monday or Tuesday of this week.

"On the question of manpower, I believe that if we had requested the services of the Royal Navy, it would have suggested that the Bermuda Regiment could not cover our needs," Premier Scott said.

"As was suggested by some Regiment officers, our military, emergency and volunteer services covered the island's needs effectively and in an extremely capable manner. I did not want to steal their thunder."

He added that he had written to Government House, thanking the UK for its offer of help.

On a personal level, Mr. Scott said his life had changed drastically since the July 24 election, after which he found himself surprised to be appointed Premier and within weeks had to deal with the biggest emergency the country has faced in years.

He said the combined efforts off all those called up the Emergency Measures Organisation had "made his job easy and pleasant" over the past week.

"But what was unpleasant was the case of the four people swept off the Causeway," Mr. Scott said.

"To have the hospital report that not one person was brought in for an injury, and then to lose four people like that was hard. And we felt their loss as if they were members of our family. That was the dark point of Fabian."

All Bermuda residents, of different races and nationalities, had pulled together to deal with the situation, he said.

"I said on the morning after the hurricane that I knew what was going to happen next, that Bermudians would come together and stand as a shining example to the world," Mr. Scott added. "And it has happened and has made me proud to be the Premier of Bermuda."