A record number of yachts have called into Bermuda this month -- and more than 100 more are expected in the next week.

RCC Harbour Radio told The Royal Gazette 284 yachts visited Bermuda between May 1 and yesterday. That number is up from 206 visiting yachts at this time last year.

A record 357 yachts visited Bermuda last May and Harbour Radio suspects that number will easily by surpassed by the end of the month.

Adding to that arrival number will be the six yachts currently competing in the Charleston to Bermuda race.

The boats left Charleston on Saturday and noon and the finishers were expected to begin crossing the finish line last night or early this morning.

On the cruise ship beat, the Nordic Empress arrived yesterday from New York and was piloted to Dockyard. She'll depart from Hamilton on Friday.

Also arriving yesterday was the Pacific Princess which docked at Penno's Wharf in St. George's. It leaves Friday from Dockyard.

The Zenith arrived from New York on Monday carrying 1,322 people. It will return tomorrow.

Also arriving from New York on Monday was the Horizon carrying 1,271 people.

The Horizon docked in St. George's and will depart Thursday.

The Norwegian Majesty arrived in Hamilton yesterday however no information was available at press time on the number of passengers aboard.

Regular freighter the Oleander arrived on Sunday carrying 201 containers including 44 refrigerated. The ship also brought pipe, a boat and windows to Bermuda.

Somers Isles is due to arrive this afternoon carrying 90 dry and 4 four refrigerated containers as well as one boat trailer, one jet ski, one motor boat, steel decking, copper tubing, aluminium tubing and printing press accessories.

The Bermuda Islander is due on Bermuda Day and will be bringing 109 containers to the Island. Included in its load are four flat racks, one holding tank, one horse box and one boat.

The oil tanker Iver Express called in to St. George's overnight on Saturday in order to discharge oil at the oil docks.