Premier Alex Scott and Deputy Premier Dr. Ewart Brown have been made honorary members of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC), commodore Andy Cox said on Friday.

Mr. Cox said for a "long, long time" the RBYC ? once said to have been the unofficial seat of government in Bermuda ? had included the Governor and Deputy Governor, the Catholic Bishop, the Police Commissioner and the Bermuda Regiment's Commanding Officer among its number of honorary members.

"It was about time we brought the entire community in and recognised the office of the Premier and Dr. Brown," Mr. Cox said of the heads of Government's receipt of honorary membership's last month.

However, he said he had not yet seen the two new members at RBYC since.

"We have had visits from both the Premier and Dr. Brown at other events last year," he said.

Premier Scott and Dr. Brown's appointments precede the upcoming Centennial Newport to Bermuda yacht race on Friday, June 16, he said, where Princess Anne is expected to give a Government House prize-giving on Saturday, June 24, a very Royal atmosphere.

This year marked the centenary of the first race from the US to Bermuda, he said ? the first taking place in 1906 from Gravesend Bay, New York.

However, he said 2006 was expected to break the record for the number of entrants, with 293 yachts entered so far.

"The record is 182, in both 1992 and 2002," he said. "It does not mean than everybody will qualify. We have approved 223 that have passed all inspections and there will be some that pull out. But I easily expect 240 to 250 this year."

The RYBC commodore said the Club's dock near Albouy's Point could house 140 boats, with around 100 temporarily sheltered at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) at Salt Kettle.

"Between them that should just about cover the fleet," Mr. Cox said. "There may be a need to raft up between us in the Harbour!"