under quarantine and ordered to stay moored off St. George's.

And it is understood there are fears that some of the 26-strong Cuban crew could jump ship and seek asylum in Bermuda.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney was staying tight-lipped over potential problems with the boat.

But he said: "There is a Cuban fishing vessel here and its status is currently under review.

"The authorities are looking at it and whether the crew are here legally or not.'' Britain -- which acts on behalf of Bermuda in foreign affairs -- is obliged under international law to consider any pleas from refugees.

Any asylum seekers have to be interviewed and their applications considered by the UK Home Office, which is responsible for immigration in Britain.

The battered-looking and rust-streaked Havana-registered Jurel -- last night guarded by marine Police boats -- is expected to be berthed at Marginal Wharf today.

Government officials -- including some from the fisheries and health departments -- swarmed over the ship yesterday afternoon.

It is understood the vessel was fumigated and a yellow flag, the international signal for quarantine status, was flying from the Jurel last night -- alongside the Bermuda flag.

But Acting Permanent Secretary of the Environment Brian Rowlinson insisted quarantine was "the normal precaution''.

He added: "We had the normal inspection we have to carry out when a long-line fishing boat is to get registered here.'' Mr. Rowlinson confirmed the boat had a provisional licence to fish from Bermuda, subject to passing an inspection.

The boat was brought to Bermuda by businessman Neil Inchcup, who brought a now-disused Canadian fishing vessel to the Island some time ago.

It is believed he intends to lease the ship from the government of Cuba and operate it from Bermuda and transfer the registration of his old boat, the Alexis , currently tied up off St. George's, to the Cuban vessel.

Mr. Inchcup yesterday visited the ship, but declined to comment when he returned to shore.

He added later: "I am just waiting on a couple of things I want to get straight, then I will make a comment.'' Mr. Rowlinson said work permits were a matter for the Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess.

Neither Environment Minister Harry Soares or Mr. Burgess could be contacted for comment last night.

It is believed the crew require a special type of permit as they would only be working from Bermuda and only on the Island when catches are unloaded.

It is understood that work permits would only be issued if the vessel comes up to Bermuda standards.

But yesterday, St. George's residents slammed the arrival of the boat.

One said: "The boat looks a wreck. We're not Haiti or Jamaica and we have a very respectable fishing fleet of our own.'' Bermuda played host two years ago to the Xing Da , packed with illegal immigrants hoping to make landfall in the US.

The passengers were flown off the Island by the US authorities and the Xing Da was sunk off Bermuda as a dive site.

Hordes of Cuban refugees -- desperate to escape poverty in Cuba -- regularly escape to the Florida coast of the US.

The Communist-controlled country has suffered from a long-standing trade embargo by America and the economic situation worsened after the collapse of the Soviet Union, which had been a major backer of Fidel Castro's 30-plus years rule.

Photos by Arthur Bean HAVANA BAD DAY! -- Businessman Neil Inchcup (Centre, striped shirt) talks to crewmen on the Cuban-registered Jurel as it lay under Police guard off St.

George's yesterday. It is understood Mr. Inchcup's plans to operate the boat from Bermuda yesterday hit problems.

CUBAN FISHING CRISIS -- The Havana-registered Jurel lies off St. George's under strict quarantine.

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