Radical plans to build a 600-foot pier into Hamilton Harbour to deal with mega cruise ships are contained in an unpublished report to Government, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

The far-reaching option, one of several in the report into handling super cruise ships, is the most popular among key bodies such as the Department of Marine and Port Services (DMPS), the Corporation of Hamilton, and Police and Customs.

The report into how Bermuda deals with the new generation of massive cruise ships has not been made public yet and will go to Transport Minister Ewart Brown later this month. Government will then decide whether to accept any of the proposals.

The draft report, which The Royal Gazette has seen, advises Government that it will have to deal in the next 20 years a new fleet of massive cruise ships measuring 900 to 950 feet, capable of carrying 2,300-2,500 passengers and 800 crew.

Some minor dredging of Hamilton Harbour would be necessary to deal with the huge vessels.

Government's reaction to the report will be crucial to the development of tourism on the Island.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell has accused Government of relying too heavily on cruise ships to the detriment of air arrivals and hotels.

And he claimed Government should not have commissioned the report, from Miami-based Bermello Ajamill and Partners, until it had developed a policy outlining where cruise ships fit into the overall tourism equation.

The report said the market trend was towards ever-bigger cruise ships and the operators were unlikely to build smaller vessels for Bermuda.

The Royal Gazette revealed last week that one of the most far-reaching options in the report was to extend the docks by up to 30 yards into the water and to develop an integrated bus, ferry and taxi terminal.

New pier may be built for mega ships The draft report, commissioned by Government through DMPS, states the option which received the best feedback from interested bodies consulted was for the 600-foot pier extending southwest beginning at Burnaby Street.

The authors stated that although the pier would obtrude into the water, by moving the giant ships away from Front Street and docking them at an angle, it would minimise the loss of view of the harbour.

In addition, the pier could be used as a "boardwalk'' when the ships were not in dock, offering spectacular new views of Hamilton and the Harbour.

The authors also stated: "Comments received from the DMPS and participants of public outreach meetings were more favourable towards alternative 2 (the pier).

"Pilots and the DMPS preferred alternative 2's ship manoeuvring advantages.

Customs and Police indicated this design approach would allow for enhanced monitoring of passengers and other parties due to its single point of entrance and exit as well as wider security exclusion zone than that present in berth one and six.

"The Corporation of Hamilton, the Hamilton Docks Committee and others preferred this development approach due to its limited impacts on existing cargo operations.

"While concerns were raised, this alternative was selected for further review and refinement, especially related to group transportation system operations.'' The report states that the varying options for redeveloping the waterfront in Hamilton would cost between $3,839,050 to $18,566,352.

The report also looks at changes in St. George's and Dockyard to handle the super cruise ships. But they are not contained in the draft report.

The report notes that other cities such as Sydney and Newcastle have experienced commercial and cultural benefits from developing their waterfronts.

Referring to the extension of Hamilton Harbour option, the report states: "A significant strength is the dramatic and exciting opportunities associated with the reclamation of 5.5 acres of waterfront land.

"Increased open space and both passive and active recreation amenities could be programmed for the area and would serve as a green linkage between open space areas found both west and east of the waterfront area.

"Opportunities for a mix of other uses such as restaurants and entertainment venues, increased parking, outdoor theatre and public gatherings would also be possible given the size of the land area.

"Bus terminal operations, currently outgrowing their facility in the centre of the city, could be relocated and integrated into a new facility adjacent to the cruise passenger terminal. This move would also allow for the interface between ferry operations and public bus transport to be improved.''