only five vessels making their way to Bermuda.

Making up the irregular callers were the USS Elrod and the USNS Vanguard which arrived on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

The Oliver Hazard Perry Class guided missile frigate Elrod docked at the Flagship Berth in Dockyard where it took on fuel and supplies before leaving that afternoon.

The Elrod was launched on May 12, 1984, and commissioned on May 18, 1985. It is 453 feet long and carries a compliment of 206 crew including 13 officers and 19 air crew.

It is designed with anti-ship, anti-aircraft and anti-missile capabilities and carries two helicopters.

Elsewhere the Vanguard stopped in briefly at Five Fathom Hole to pick up two technicians before heading back out to sea.

At 595 feet long, the Vanguard is a test ship for Fleet Ballistic Missile guidance and ship navigation systems. It is under the operational control of Commander Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet.

It carries a compliment of 160 crew which is made up of 86 civil servants, 40 technicians and 34 naval officers and men.

Meanwhile Bermuda's regular visitors made their weekly calls to the Island with only a minor hitch.

The massive rains on Sunday prevented the Somers Isles from being off loaded and the vessel had to wait until late Monday morning before it could return to Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Meyer Agencies spokesman Stephen Paynter reported that the vessel brought in 52 dry containers and five refrigerated containers plus an assortment of loose cargo including two boats, three garbage bins, a pick-up truck, five gas tanks, 14 bundles of lumber and 57 bundles of steel decking.

On Monday morning the Bermuda Islander arrived with 74 containers including 13 refers, continued Mr. Paynter. The vessel returned to Salem, New Jersey on Tuesday morning.

And on Sunday, the Oleander arrived from Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, with 79 dry containers and 25 refers, reported Container Ship Management spokeswoman Glynnis Dickinson.

The vessel also off loaded an open container of pipes and structural steel, a road trailer containing steel parts, 13 cars and a truck before departing on Tuesday.