Environmentalists suspect that the oil spill near to Hamilton Harbour may have been caused by a large ship passing through the area.

Environmental Protection director Dr. Thomas Sleeter said after viewing the type of oil spilled into the Pitts Bay marina on Wednesday, he believed it had come from a larger vessel, rather than smaller.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday how environmentalists were assessing the damage to the water caused by the slick, and feared that marine life may have been harmed.

However, yesterday Dr. Sleeter said, fortunately, he believed no fish or micro organisms had been damaged by the spill.

"Judging by the coating on the sea wall, it looks like dark fuel oil from a large ship, but on the surface of the water it looks more like burnt engine oil," said Dr. Sleeter.

"It is still a mystery and the cause of the slick is still under investigation.

"I think that this slick will have a minimal effect on the environment.

"Most of the damage was to the sea walls and the sea poles, so many organisms would not have been harmed.

"The fish would swim away from an area, as even though the oil floats, toxic components seep through the surface of the water."

Dr. Sleeter said a larger spill could have been an environmental disaster for Bermuda and its surrounding waters.

He said: "An oil slick coats the surface of the water and harmful chemicals can kill the organisms when they become coated by the toxins."

It is against the law to discharge oil or to accidentally pump it out into the sea.

Marine and Ports were still on the scene yesterday cleaning up the oil with absorbent booms and pads.

"The pads are made of material which can carry 30 times their weight in oil and take up very little or no water. They will collect up the pads and booms and take them to Tynes Bay for destruction.