an outstanding achievement award by the prestigious Explorers Club.

At a ceremony in New York, he was given the Lowell Thomas Award for ocean exploration.

Mr. Tucker, who for many years was the only Bermudian member of the Explorers Club, was presented with the award at a dinner before 400 guests.

The non-profit club, founded in 1904, is dedicated to scientific exploration.

Sir Edmund Hilary carried the club's flag when he became the first man to conquer Mount Everest in 1953, and Neil Armstrong carried the emblem on his mission to the moon.

Mr. Tucker told VSB news on Wednesday night: "It is for work I've done in the past in the challenging ocean and education of the public to do with the oceans and some documentaries I have made.

"They have got all kinds of awards internationally, which surprised me no end.'' In 1955, Mr. Tucker discovered what was to become the most valuable artifact ever recovered from Bermuda's waters: the legendary Tucker Cross.

The gold cross with seven emeralds, which Mr. Tucker found on a wreck known as the San Pedro which is thought to have sunk in 1594, is recognised as one of the most significant pieces ever recovered from a New World wreck.

It was displayed at the Aquarium, but was stolen in 1975. It has never been recovered.

Mr. Tucker has featured regularly in National Geographic Magazine, and in 1997 took part in the National Geographic Society's expedition to Kaikoura on New Zealand's South Island to look for giant squid.

Jaws novelist Peter Benchley, who introduced Mr. Tucker at the awards ceremony, said: "Teddy has brought Bermuda to the world and the world to Bermuda.'' AWARD AWD