The Bermuda Department of Marine Administration and the Department of Marine and Ports were commended for safety and quality standards by the United Kingdom's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) after they visited the Island last week.

Assistant director of corporate governance and risk at MCA, Andrew Cherrett, said: "We are very pleased with the quality and standards of survey and certification of Bermuda's international fleet which includes many of the world's top cruise ships, and of the level of co-operation between the Department of Marine Administration and Marine and Ports which is amongst the highest we have seen."

Mr. Cherrett was joined by two other officials during the visit.

The MCA last visited Bermuda in 2004. They noted that the number of vessels on the Bermuda Registry has not increased significantly in the past four years, but the workload has increased as a number of large passenger ships have flagged to the Island.

The 2008 visit was conducted between November 17 and 21. The monitoring team spent four days with the Department of Marine Administration and one day with Marine and Ports.

In summarising its visit, MCA stated: "Overall the Department of Maritime Administration has coped well with the international changes and developments in the makeup of its international fleet without compromising safety or quality standards."

Premier and Transport Minister Ewart Brown was thrilled with the results.

"I'm pleased to know our people in Maritime operations are consistently reaching the highest safety and quality standards," he said.

"The Marine Administration and Marine and Ports staffs have my sincerest appreciation and congratulations for the work they are doing. Marine operations are critically important to the country."

As explained by a spokesperson: "The MCA undertakes regular monitoring visits of the Red Ensign Group Shipping registers of the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies to review the quality and standards of international and domestic shipping.

"Bermuda operates a Category One Register, which allows registration of unlimited ship type and tonnage within conditions agreed with the UK."