Government is devising a "master plan" for the development of the Island's waterfronts to deal with the new generation of bigger cruise ships, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said yesterday.

Consultations have begun and the initial results are expected by the end of the summer, he said.

But the United Bermuda Party questioned why Government was just beginning to respond to the problem now when it has been aware of the issue for years.

Speaking in the House of Assembly, Dr. Brown told MPs the cruise lines had told him the ships visiting Bermuda were the oldest and smallest in the fleet and will be sold off within four years.

And the cruise lines will not replace them with ships small enough to negotiate Bermuda's channels and use its docks.

The typical cruise ship being built now is 960 feet long, 106 feet wide, with a draft of 27 feet, accommodating 2,2100 to 2,600 passengers ? much bigger than any ships currently visiting the Island.

These are considered "Panamax" ships because they can sail the Panama Canal. They are not mega-ships which are even longer.

But most of these ships are too big to get through Town Cut in St. George's, Two Rock Passage in Hamilton Harbour, or to dock along Front Street.

"The trends in the cruise industry are clear: unless we modify our channel approaches and port facilities, there will not be sufficient cruise ships to sail to Bermuda once the current cruise ships are sold or retired," Dr. Brown said.

"Make no mistake about it, this would have a significant negative effect on our tourism product and economy."

The new study is looking at port infrastructure improvements; ensuring the plans enhance development proposals for Hamilton, Dockyard and St. George's; and to ensure they don't clash with other development initiatives.

Dr. Brown said he had talks with the chief executive officers of Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises.

On a brighter note, the cruise lines had indicated they would be willing to partner Government in upgrading port facilities, he said.

"Past studies are being reviewed and research is underway on how other ports have improved their infrastructure, including the possibility of the cruise lines partnering with us to improve our ports ? something they have indicated they are willing to do," added Dr.. Brown.

"In all our meetings with our cruise partners, Bermuda has been ranked very high on their list of preferred ports. They want us to make it so they can continue to bring their ships here.

"This Government is committed to developing a master plan for a port infrastructure that will ensure the presentation of the uniqueness of Bermuda as a destination but will also serve as a law to cruise lines willing to offer the Bermuda experience to their passengers..

"I am genuinely excited about the tremendous opportunity we have to make our ports second to none.

"What we must guard against us the potential for initiatives such as this to simply spend an eternity in the discussion and planning stages.

"I consider this project to be one of the most important initiatives that this Government faces, for it will shape the cruise ship policy for the future and thereby out tourism product."The study is also looking at:

whether to continue ships moving between ports on the Island;

how many ships should be at each port and security requirements;

the impact of modifications to the channels on the environment and transport services;

the impact on retail sales and shore excursions.

In addition to looking at infrastructure, the plan had to look at how to develop the waterfront areas such as Hamilton.

One possibility was trying to ensure the cruise ships did not so dominate the Hamilton skyline.

Consultations will continue with businesses, and cruise lines and will involve a number of different government departments. And Bermuda Alliance for Tourism, the National Trust and other groups will also be consulted.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell said the Progressive Labour Party had lacked vision for years, but this debate was an important step to revitalising tourism.

He said Government should not be creating a master plan, but should be developing a process.

Careful consideration needed to be given to St. George's because it was a World Heritage Site. Town Cut had been widened twice before and he questioned whether it could or should be again.

Separate plans should be created for St. George's, Dockyard and Hamilton, and be placed under on overall plan.

The PLP had a terrible record of sitting on plans or not producing them, and he hoped this would not just be "hollow words.

"We are talking about a master plan for cruise ships and we don't even have a Director of Tourism. That's dreadful, that's appalling," said Mr. Dodwell.

Key emphasis had to be placed on developing the product - people and services - not just infrastructure.

"Government needs to cut the red tape and get out of the way and let the community and the Corporations (of Hamilton and St. George's) get on with it," he said.

"Government needs to create a platform for change. This is one of the most critical and bureaucratic societies in the world."

Bermuda needed to move beyond the "crab in a barrel" mentality of petty jealousy where everyone is trying to pull each other down.

"The potential benefits are huge. The waterfronts will be an opportunity for young people to get into entrepreneurial opportunities. I see a rise in jobs and an ability to involve young men, especially young black men."

Mr. Dodwell called for a bi-partisan committee to be set up in the House of Assembly to look at this.

But this was rejected by PLP MP Walter Lister, who said it would take "months or longer".

Mr. Lister, the chairman of the West End Development Corporation, said Wedco had a 20 year development plan and if it had to be brought before parliament it would "defeat progress".

UBP Leader Grant Gibbons said the PLP had lost more than five years when it had done nothing on issues such as housing and seniors.

He questioned why Government didn't bring a green paper or a white paper on the port redevelopment, but Dr. Brown's motion to the House about the intention to develop a plan gave MPs nothing to "get their teeth into".

"This is very nice but it is simply not good enough," he said.

Referring to Mr. Lister's statement that Wedco had a 20 year plan, Dr. Gibbons said: "If there is a 20 year plan for Dockyard, why are we being asked for our opinions? This boggles the mind.

"We are here today talking about Government's intention at some point in the Fall to come forward with a plan. It belies belief.

"Where is the plan? We have had five and a half years to do this. All we have is an intent at some point unspecified to to come forward with a plan.

"This is very thin gruel and unacceptable. It is symptomatic of a government that is style over substance."

PLP MP for St. George's West Dean Foggo said Ordnance Island would face security problems meeting international standards, but Penno's Wharf would be fine.

He said Ordnance would be suited for a smaller luxury and larger ones could go to Pennos; Wharf.

Mr. Foggo said St. George's needed a dedicated commuter ferry to Hamilton, especially if there was to be bigger ships.

UBP MP Maxwell Burgess said St. George's needed a hotel first then it would know how many cruise passengers it needed to supplement the local economy.

For Hamilton, he recommended cutting off traffic on Front Street so cruise ship passengers felt safe crossing to get to businesses.

But he blasted the Government calling them "the political Alice in Wonderland" to think that the public hasn't recognised the need for dock refurbishment.

UBP MP Neville Darrell said he had hoped to see the Environment Ministry the and Tourism Ministry working alongside Dr. Brown to efficiently get the master plan started.

"The first step is to look at the environmental aspect," he said. "The money is important but so to is this sustainable environmental impact."

PLP MPs Michael Scott and Wayne Perinchief took the opportunity to generate ideas. Mr. Perinchief said they are starting with a "blank slate" for the master plan for the waterfront. He added that it was an ideal "forum or venue to bring some fresh ideas".

"Get on the bandwagon and get involved," he said.

He offered ideas of developing Spanish Point Park to be used as an alternate dock site.