vessels in the area.

The research vessel Atlantis II , carrying the deep submergence vehicle Alvin , has been used recently to explore deep waters around the Island. The vessels, owned by the US Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts, were to return to Penno's Wharf today, take on supplies, and then leave Bermuda.

Alvin was doing her verification dives after a refit before the local exploration.

The research ship Cape Hatteras arrived on January 22 and continues to work in the area while the Bermuda Biological Station for Research Inc.'s regular vessel, Weatherbird II , undergoes a refit in the United States. Weatherbird II is expected to return on May 10.

The research ship Cape Henlopen , owned and operated by the University of Delaware, was to arrive on Saturday at Penno's Wharf, drop off scientists, and do research cruises off Bermuda.

And the German research ship Poseidon was expected to arrive in Hamilton next week.

Otherwise, shipping activity picked up in the Bermuda area this week, signalling the approach of spring despite cool weather.

The three container ships that regularly call on Bermuda were all in port in Hamilton.

The Oleander arrived on Wednesday and was expected to return to Port Elizabeth today. She discharged 145 containers, including 37 refrigerated ones. Loose cargo included a car and some bundled aluminium.

The Oleander , handled by Container Ship Management Ltd., normally leaves Port Elizabeth for Bermuda on Friday, but was held back until Sunday due to severe storms on the US Eastern Seaboard.

The Somers Isles arrived on Monday from Florida and was to sail today after discharging 72 containers, including eight refrigerated ones. Loose cargo consisted of a small amount of lumber and steel.

The Bermuda Islander arrived on Tuesday and sailed yesterday. She discharged 81 containers, including six refrigerated ones.

Agents for the Somers Isles and Bermuda Islander are Meyer Agencies Ltd.

The Liberian-registered chemical carrier Stolt Tenacity anchored at Five Fathom Hole on Friday to drop off the chief cook, who had broken his wrist.

The 580-foot ship, bound for Tampa, Florida from Rotterdam, sailed the same day.

Her agents were Meyer.

The 425-foot gravel ship MV Trones arrived at Penno's Wharf on Sunday with a load of gravel for the east end. She was held up due to a mechanical problem and did not sail for Newfoundland until yesterday.

Her agents were Meyer.

The tanker MT Carib arrived from Santo Domingo on Monday with lube oil for Esso. Due to high winds, she stayed overnight at Murray's Anchorage and did not come alongside until Tuesday. Handled by Meyer, she sailed yesterday for drydock in Florida.

The deep sea fishing vessel Bookie sheltered at Penno's Wharf overnight on Saturday. The 65-foot American-registered vessel, which had been fishing around the Windward Islands and operating out of Puerto Rico, was on her way to New York Island.

Expected on Tuesday is the first of the "Duke'' class Type 23 frigates to visit Bermuda.

HMS Marlborough is to arrive at Dockyard for fuel. She was laid down in 1987, launched in 1989, and commissioned in 1990.

The 4,200-ton ship, which measures 436 feet, has a complement of only 184. She is equipped with a harpoon missile system and two Lynx helicopters.

DEEP WATER FACT FINDING -- Reasearch ship Atlantis II and the deep submergence vehicle Alvin are two of the research vessels conducting work in waters around Bermuda this week.