are dropped near shore.

It seems very clear that other small boats have been used for that purpose and while the use of jet skis may sound a bit exotic, those importing drugs will stop at nothing. There should be concern over the statement by this newspaper's unnamed source that, "It's easy money and there's very little risk of being caught.'' Clearly Bermuda's extensive and ragged shoreline makes it easy for small boats to carry out their criminal activity. We cannot hope to watch all the coves and bays all of the time. There is such great profit in drugs that even if it is not carried on jet skis, there will be some other method of importation.

We noticed that the British Virgin Islands received praise in London during the United Kingdom Overseas Territories conference for their efforts against drugs. Those efforts include zero tolerance and the confiscation of boats if so much as a marijuana cigarette is found aboard.

We think that Bermuda should have similar laws. Put the responsibility for zero tolerance on the owners and operators of these boats. If drugs are found on the boat or on any member of the crew then confiscate the boat. Keep your eyes open when spring comes and the yachts begin migrating through Bermuda again and you may be surprised how many crew members you see openly smoking marijuana on deck. Strong action might result in fewer yachts calling at Bermuda but clean boats have nothing to fear and those which stay away will probably be those we do not want.

While we clearly cannot confiscate ocean liners, they should have separate gangplanks for passengers and crew and Bermuda should make it clear to owners and captains that it will not tolerate crew members coming ashore with drugs.

Right now we hold the captains responsible if they discharge oil in the waters and there is no reason not to hold them responsible for drug importation. It means accepting responsibility for the actions of their employees but so does oil spills.

Yachts seem to come and go too easily and are cleared by Customs and Immigration in a rather casual fashion. We think there should be a holding area in St. George's Harbour where all yachts report for clearance and to be searched before going to anchor or their berth and before anyone is allowed ashore.

That, of course, will not stop them dropping drugs offshore but it will put them on warning and it will make it clear that Bermuda is serious about drug importation. That might well scare off those who are thinking of bringing drugs into Bermuda waters or at least make them think twice.

This, of course, would require us to be serious about drugs.