Government is on stand-by to assist our island neighbours in the event of widescale death and destruction in the Caribbean.

Hurricane Dean pummelled Jamaica last night with winds of up to 145mph and is expected to intensify as it approaches the Cayman Islands later today.

The Category Four storm has already claimed more than six lives and experts fear more extensive loss of life as it tears across the Caribbean into the Gulf of Mexico.

Dean has been classed as one of the deadliest storms to hit the region in recent years and Bermuda's Government is now poised to offer humanitarian and commercial assistance.

Over the weekend, Ministers have held a series of meetings to facilitate emergency action if needed. The Ministry of Finance also wants to extend a safe haven for business to ensure continuity in commerce and financial services.

Minister of Public Safety and Housing, Senator David Burch, has contacted the Jamaican authorities and said the Bermuda Regiment will assist in any recovery efforts in either Jamaica or the Cayman Islands.

A Government spokeswoman said: "We are looking at pulling together whatever manpower resources we have in Bermuda, should these countries need assistance. In the past when we have had powerful storms, Jamaica and other islands have been great at coming to our assistance so we are trying to repay the favour."

Sen. Burch, who is Bermuda's Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) chairman, said: "Bermuda has strong ties with both these Island nations, particularly with Jamaica, as we have a strong Jamaican population in Bermuda and our Regiment has trained there for several decades. "I want to assure the people of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands that we stand ready to do whatever is requested of us to ensure that both our neighbours return to normal as soon as possible."

He added that Bermuda's residents should also stay vigilant during this "critical time of the hurricane season" and ensure households are equipped with the necessary supplies.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Paula Cox, said Government would help companies in the Cayman Islands wishing to transfer operations to Bermuda. Working with the Department of Immigration and the Bermuda Monetary Authority, the Ministry of Finance wants to ensure continuity in commerce and financial services.

Ms Cox said: "Bermuda again stands ready to assist any Cayman Island-based entities seeking to relocate to Bermuda for the duration of any possible disruption."

The Registrar of Companies will provide information on permits required under the Companies Act 1981 for organisations with no affiliation in Bermuda. Firms with affiliates already licensed by the BMA will be able to transfer staff and activities without further licensing, and the Department of Immigration will attempt to issue work permits efficiently.

Ms Cox said: "The Bermuda Monetary Authority will aim to expedite the relevant licensing process. "The Department of Immigration I am informed has also alerted their officers at the L.F. Wade International Airport and will facilitate the expediting of work permits should the need arise. "Ms Rozy Azhar has alerted the airport of the possibility of persons arriving from Cayman Islands and that such persons should be allowed through the airport. Such persons needing temporary work permits will have their work permit applications processed on an expedited basis."

Ms Cox said the authorities had already received "a few preliminary calls" from local firms, both law and audit companies.

"It should be remembered that as in 2004, Bermuda seeks no gain from the possible misfortune of our neighbours and that companies and persons relocating under the above conditions will be expected to return to the Cayman Islands as soon as conditions allow," she said.

LOM Asset Management has evacuated its employees with LOM Securities Ltd. from the Cayman Islands.

Jon Heckscher, vice president and general manager, said: "LOM has made contingency plans in the event that Hurricane Dean causes a disruption to our operation in Cayman. In advance of the storm, all employees (and families), with the exception of one, have flown off the island. "In the event that the office needs to be closed for an extended period of time, these families will be temporarily moved to either our Bahamas office or here in Bermuda. We will continue to monitor the situation."

Calls from clients are also being redirected to the company's Bermuda offices.