become part of the revival of Dockyard.

Speaking just two months after his arrival here, Cdr. Robin Bawtree said: "We are the custodians of this beautiful area at the moment, and I would like to see Malabar, and its facilities as an area that can be used by as many people as possible.'' As he settles into his post, Cdr. Bawtree stresses that "the purpose of maintaining the Royal Navy here is not just for history's sake, but also to support NATO and provide support and services for many other navies.'' For besides his role as Commander of HMS Malabar, Cdr. Bawtree is also Island Commander, Bermuda, within NATO, reporting to the Commander in Chief, West Indies area, an American four-star general based in Norfolk, Virginia.

Additionally, Cdr. Bawtree is the Senior British Officer, Bermuda, "responsible to the Governor in the widest possible sense, giving advice on any military matters''.

Admitting that life behind a desk can be frustrating for a navy man, Cdr.

Bawtree, who spent the first 20 years of his career at sea, says that he is happy to be at least close to the water again and to be in charge of such a many-faceted operation. "There is obviously a ceremonial aspect to this job and I enjoy that as well.'' Looking down from the heights of Moresby House, and out across the massive breakwater that has cradled so much naval history, he said: "I have been so impressed by the genuine friendliness of everyone we have met since we arrived. And I think this is probably the most cooperative environment I have ever worked in -- everyone is so willing to get things done.'' Besides his own staff, headed by Executive Officer Lt. Cdr. Nigel Davies, a team of 13 officers and ratings "run the whole thing'', assisted by civilians in Dockyard who work as carpenters, electricians and generally maintain the pristine appearance of Malabar.

At one stage, there was some doubt as to whether the Royal Navy operation in Bermuda would last beyond next April, but "there was a lot of pressure from my predecessor, Government House and various officials who came out from Britain and they realised it was more economical to keep the whole thing intact. So I think we are safe for the foreseeable future.'' A large part of HMS Malabar's activities centre around the provision of "rest and recreation'' for ships of many nationalities passing through the general area. Some of these are en route to the US to take part in American naval exercices. He said: "In this small base we are able to offer something for everyone -- especially now that the pace in Dockyard is building up.'' "Obviously, our first priority is taking care of the ships and people who pass through, but when they are not using the facilities, we would like outsiders to be able to use them.'' He cites the squash courts ("the only air-conditioned courts in Bermuda, I believe!''), playing-fields and the tennis courts. He said: "The other day, we had some cruise passengers trying to play tennis on the courts, but they are in too bad a state to be used at the moment.'' A keen squash and tennis player himself, Cdr. Bawtree hopes to build new courts nearer to Moresby House "as soon as possible''.

He is full of admiration for the restoration work done so far by West End Development Corporation (Wedco) and hopes that in future, HMS Malabar will be able to work closely with that organisation in a continuing effort to improve recreational facilities at the West End. "I would like to see us as very much a part of the new Dockyard,'' he said.

The West Indies guard ship, currently HMS Alacrity, spends four months on station there, visiting dependencies in the general area and also assisting the US Coast Guard with anti-drug running patrols.

"So the guard ship really just visits here at the beginning and at the end of a run, on the way home. There is also a strong connection with Belize where we have a force of tri-service staff, holding exercises in conjunction with the army and the RAF.'' There are still ships going back and forth between Britain and the Falklands, and many of these stop at Bermuda for fuel.

Although he did not serve in the Falklands War (he was actually in temporary command of HMS Ajax , an anti-submarine frigate that was not called for action), many of his colleagues and friends did. He explained: "I will never forget when we came back from Djibouti and were told that HMS Stafford had been sunk -- the first of four to go -- and with a team-mate of mine on board.

I think it had a lasting effect on many of us.'' On the plus side, however, he credits the success of the Falklands operation with arresting further cuts that had been planned for the Navy. Progressive cutbacks have meant that the commander has captained ships on a temporary rather than a permanent basis. He served on the Ark Royal , visiting the Far East, Australia and South Africa and spent almost three years on HMS Tartar in the South Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf.

Cdr. Bawtree and his wife, Anne, have two children at school in England.

Michael, 17, has just won a provisional organ scholarship to Christ's College, Cambridge, and has already had 15 sonatas published.

"He is hoping to bring the school swing band out here in the summer. They have already toured Hungary and Holland and were planning to go to Australia -- but I think my posting here changed that!'' Already, he says, he has met many interesting people during his short time here: "Not only through the ships that have passed through. I've also met Prince Michael of Kent, who had lunch on the Cable & Wireless ship and then visited Malabar. He visited our skittle alley and put his mark amongst all the others on the wall. He hadn't been to Bermuda before and he really enjoyed all that he saw. He is also an ex-Navy man, so he was very receptive to my team and what we do here.'' One of Cdr. Bawtree's first duties was to assist with arrangements for visit of the Portuguese tall ship, Sagres . "We berthed and unberthed her. As it was a training ship, it came over under our aegis, through the Portuguese Consul. Portugal is Britain's oldest ally, so it was a happy event all round.'' Now, he is looking forward to his stated aim of making HMS Malabar more accessible to the general public as well as upholding the traditions of a Royal Navy presence that has dominated Dockyard for more than 150 years.

"I am very thrilled to be here and couldn't wish for a better end to my 33-year career. Bermuda must be one of the most sought-after jobs for a naval commander!'' Cdr. Robin Bawtree.