sea-going capability is a good sign for the Island.

As reported in The Royal Gazette today, Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Paul Keetch has tabled questions on the subject of Britain's lack of provision of an effective deep water presence off Bermuda's shores in the House of Commons -- and may ask more.

Bermuda has suffered from a lack of a significant naval presence since the US Navy weighed anchor and quit its bases in 1995 -- taking its ships and aircraft with it.

But Bermuda is small and isolated, close to busy shipping lanes and, particularly in the summer, awash with the yachting fraternity, both from home and overseas.

And it is known that drug dealers use yachts to dump drugs tagged with a homing beacon well offshore in a bid to avoid detection.

That combination is a recipe for disaster, although, as seen recently with the rescue of a sick sailor on the high seas by US servicemen dropped on board the ship by parachute, America has shown a willingness to assist.

Having to rely, however, on a foreign country's Coastguard or servicemen operating from bases on the east coast of America is not an ideal situation.

Britain has signalled in its "Partnership for Progress'' White Paper on relations with its remaining Overseas Territories a new willingness to listen and help where necessary.

And the current situation -- where Bermuda is technically covered by the West Indies Guard Ship, normally a frigate -- cannot be regarded as adequate.

The Bermuda Regiment runs a boat troop and the Police its marine section -- but they are only equipped with small vessels incapable of offshore work.

The UK -- which invented gunboat diplomacy last century -- last year donated a vessel, the SeaArk Dauntless class, to be used for engineering and navigation training by the collection of ex-colonies which make up the Caribbean Regional Security System, which includes St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbados -- which could be regarded as a precedent.

Both this Government and the previous one have flagged up the need for Bermuda to acquire a greater, armed, sea-going capability, as well as helicopter air support.

And a soon-to-be completed review of the Regiment's role is almost certain to recommend a more Royal Marine-style amphibious character for the largely land-based unit.

A full-time force or specialist unit trained and equipped for a blue water role would not only improve Bermuda's ability to protect its territorial waters and carry out search-and-rescue work, but provide worthwhile, long-term careers for young Bermudians.

Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox has already shown a talent for thinking outside the box in her challenging portfolio and, subject to financial considerations, would be more than happy to look at a mini-navy for Bermuda.

Britain recently forked out well over $1 million after it accepted moral and legal responsibility for oil pollution in caves at the former HMS Malabar -- in stark contrast to the US's position over pollution on its former bases.

The UK has promised a new deal for Overseas Territories and, with the end of the Cold War, no doubt has a surplus of suitable ships no longer needed for the defence of western European waters.

Britain has provided support in the marine and air areas in vetting standards and assuring the world that Bermuda reaches the highest international levels.

But that is not high-profile and there would be no better way to generate goodwill and public recognition that Britain cares about its overseas possessions by a tangible gift to Bermuda -- like an appropriate vessel and training for its sons and daughters in its operation.

For the price of one dead sailor who might otherwise have lived or the bill for one consignment of drugs which gets through holes in the net around Bermuda -- with its attendant social costs -- is much too high.