After 32 years working in the City of Hamilton Mr. David Young is setting out to earn a living on the high seas.

Mr. Young yesterday took delivery of the fishing boat Kelly Marie which he will use to become the first Bermudian to enter professional longline fishing.

And he is hoping that other fishermen will follow in his footsteps if he's successful.

Mr. Young became interested in longline fishing when the Anna C made its experimental trip earlier this year.

Anna C was introduced by Government to experiment with longline fishing, backed by a British firm aiming to see if there were stocks to feed the huge world tuna market.

However, the experiment came under fire from local fishermen who believed their fishing stocks were being "stolen.'' Most people saw the Anna C as a financial disaster, but Mr. Young said: "I thought it was a success. If I can bring in half as much fish on my own then I will be happy.

"I have applied to the Fisheries Department and they seem happy that a Bermudian is experimenting with longline fishing.'' Mr. Young intends to take Kelly Marie off the banks to try horizontal and deep vertical longlining, aiming to catch tuna and swordfish. He is also considering an attempt to move into reef fishing.

Kelly Marie , which arrived on board the Oleander yesterday, will replace Mr.

Young's previous boat Kelly's Pride which was not big enough to take equipment for longlining. Mr. Young is hoping to borrow equipment from the Fisheries Department.

He finished his part-time job as an accountant at Vera P. Card, on Front Street, three weeks ago.

"I have been fishing since I was four-and-a-half-years-old with my grandfather. I am now 51 so I have plenty of experience,'' he said.

"I was an accountant, but after 32 years in Hamilton I felt it was time for a change.'' He admits it is a major investment for one man to take on but confident he can make a living.

"Hopefully other folks will get involved if they see it is a success and it will be a new type of fishing for the Island.'' SET TO MAKE A SPLASH -- The Kelly Marie , a new longline fishing boat, is lifted off the Oleander and into Hamilton Harbour.