And a petition objecting to its feasibility study is currently circulating. So far, more than 30 people have signed the document which will be presented to the Planning Department.

Dingy Club member Mr. Sjur Linberg this week said he opposed to the idea of expanding the marina.

"I have owned a mooring there for over 40 years,'' he said. "It was my father-in-law's, but it will be redundant if this planned expansion takes place.

"No one approached me to tell me how it would be affected or the cost to use one of the new berths.

"I have heard estimates that a berth will cost $3,000 per year compared to the $25 a year I pay for my mooring which is much safer.

"I have seen the drawings but this will be detrimental to the environment since it will have a visual impact with all that sediment and piling on the sea bottom.

"The bottom end of the harbour will be totally transformed. I wish the club would have been more forthcoming. I only got a letter three days ago and that was after the idea had already been passed on to the Planning Department.'' Another member, who asked not to be named, said that no mention of the planned expansion was made at the recent annual general meeting.

"People with moorings in the area will have to move, and I would like to suggest to anyone with moorings in Red Hole Bay to take a look at the plans and register their objections because there is only one week left.'' "The addition of 70 more berths will displace at least 38 people who have moorings there now.

"They also have to reclaim land around the Pomander Gate Road for a large pontoon which will destroy the grass and trees in the area.'' Sailing instructor Ms Susan Stan said she opposed the idea of expanding the marina because it would intensify use of an already busy harbour. She referred to other users such as cruise and container ships, ferries, and sail boats all use the harbour.

"I support sailing in Bermuda,'' she said. "And I would support an expansion project like this one somewhere else. But I don't think the RHADC marina should be increased since this will be the first step in more expansion.

"After this they will then need more parking and toilets and an area that is already congested will become more so.'' "This new development will have a negative effect on the area. It's already a beautiful part of Bermuda.'' However, club commodore Mr. Benjamin Rego Jr. yesterday called the criticism premature.

"This has become a media event long before it is warranted,'' he said. "It has not been proposed or entertained by the club yet. Those members who are critical of this study are putting the cart before the horse.

"All we are doing at this stage is investigating whether it is possible.

There are many steps to this process before it can be taken to the membership.'' Mr. Rego said it was extremely premature for members to be concerned about something they think may be happening because nothing has yet been done.

"Once the sub-committee does its feasibility study, it will then go to management who can either accept or reject it. If it is accepted then it will go to the membership.

"But all that has happened so far is that we have applied to the Planning Department for approval in principle because without that it would be pointless to do any investigation.

"Until all the requirements are satisfied, and that includes a full briefing of our membership, the dinghy club has no plans to go ahead with this project.'' MARINA PLAN -- This is the proposed plan for the RHADC's extended marina off Harbour Road in Paget.