tanker Johann Schulte earlier this month could soon be drawing to a close.

A Meyer Agencies spokesman said the 59-year-old bosun is due to be released from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital "within the week''.

But Atlantic Marine Ltd. spokesman James Weedon said, while the man may be physically fit to travel home, "he certainly doesn't have 100 percent memory recall''.

Mr. Weedon added that, before he can make the trip to the Philippines, he will have to be interviewed by a Bermuda Registry of Shipping representative as part of the investigation into the accident.

The man was one of the five Johann Schulte crew members who were hurt when a huge wave knocked them into deck equipment on March 2 as the Isle of Man registered ship was more than 800 miles east of Bermuda.

One man, the vessel's Polish Chief Officer, died shortly afterward while another, an able seaman, succumbed to serious leg injuries the next day.

A rescue operation was mounted by the United States Air Force and Coast Guard, in cooperation with Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Bermuda.

HOLIDAY CHANGE GOOD NEWS FOR TALL SHIPS SHI Holiday change good news for Tall Ships A change of date for Bermuda's Queen's Birthday celebrations this year will allow more Bermudians to witness the Tall Ships 2000 race.

For years the Island has celebrated the monarch's birthday on the third Monday of June, one week after the United Kingdom.

Government's decision to bring the Island into line with the UK this year will give a bonus to residents hoping to catch the highlight of the Tall Ships race.

June 12, the public holiday for the Queen's Birthday, is the day of the Parade of Sail when up to 70 tall ships will sail from Hamilton along the North Shore to St. David's.

Tall Ships organisers have welcomed the switch, which should guarantee a bumper turnout for the spectacle.

Tall Ships event co-ordinator Caroline Wills said: "We are very pleased that it is a public holiday because it will allow the community at large to participate both in the Queens's Birthday parade in Hamilton and in the Parade of Sails.'' CHRIS LODGE RETURNS TO VSB FOLD TV Chris Lodge returns to VSB fold Former news director Chris Lodge is set to return to DeFontes Broadcasting while Bryan Darby received the nod to anchor a news magazine programme.

Company President Kenneth DeFontes yesterday announced that Mr. Darby will be focusing his attentions on a new television series entitled "One On One''.

Mr. DeFontes said the programme will be "an in depth look at the news makers of the day''.

In a press release issued by DeFontes Broadcasting, Mr. Darby, in addition to concentrating on the new series, will also continue daily news reporting.

Mr. Lodge will return to the company after a two year stint as Public Affairs Officer with Government Information Services. He will carry out news direction and "handle the day-to-day administration of the news division.'' POLICE PROBE THEFTS CRM Police probe thefts Police are investigating three break-ins on Tuesday with a safe, a significant amount of cash, and six model racing boats being taken.

Eastern CID are looking into the theft of the metal safe box from the St.

George's Dinghy and Sports Club.

In addition to the initial break-in, several areas of the club were entered by force.

A Cobb's Hill Road, Warwick home was searched and the cash was stolen some time between 5 and 7.30 p.m. Tuesday, and the model boats were stolen from a Middle Road, Warwick home.

The complainant reported to Police he had left the home insecure "briefly'' around 10.30 p.m. before returning. Western CID are investigating both incidents.