Two years on the Bermuda Belle remains in its watery grave in St. George's Harbour because its owner was deported.

In 2003 the 65-foot boat, owned by George Costas, broke its moorings during Hurricane Fabian.

The hurricane washed the boat along the Town Cut Shore line and it eventually landed in Convict Bay where it has remained, partially submerged, ever since.

Soon after the hurricane it was classified as a navigational hazard. Initially Marine & Ports attempted to assist Mr. Costas remove the boat but the efforts failed.

Mr. Costas told The Royal Gazette in November 2003 that Marine & Ports had told him that he would have to fund the removal, within a month, or they would do it themselves and charge him $20,000-$30,000.

The boat has not been moved since and Marine & Ports deny ever having told Mr. Costas that they would charge him for the removal.

Director of Marine and Ports Barry Coupland said the boat has been buoyed and lit up so that mariners know it is there and avoid it.

He also added that over the past two years his Department had been in contact with Mr. Costas trying to find solutions to remove the boat.

His sudden departure came as a surprise to Marine & Ports and the Department is now left with a "bit of a quandary".

"Now that the owner is not a resident it falls on us to remove it," he said.

Mr. Coupland said the tendering process to ensure the boat was moved had started but he said caution had to be taken with removal.

He explained that the boat's position and size meant that removing it in a certain way could lead to it breaking apart and sinking to the bottom of the Town Cut.

This would not be advantageous for the Island as it would impede a major cruise ship channel.

Despite the difficulties of removing the large boat Mr. Coupland said it would be done and that the tendering process had just begun.