A long-serving figure at the Bermuda Maritime Museum has resigned from the Board of Trustees over its plans to revamp the museum's administration and public image.

Dr. Jack Arnell, a past chairman of the museum, stormed out of a Board meeting last week after moves were made to assert greater control over management of the Dockyard institution.

The trustees are to meet tonight to deal with the agenda item of Dr. Arnell's resignation.

His walk-out last week, however, was the first sign of the Board moving deliberately to change the way the museum is operated and its public image.

It is understood the move was triggered earlier this year by the museum's opposition to the proposed East Broadway Underwater Institute, although the issues it is addressing are considered long in the making.

Objections voiced against the Institute by museum director Dr. Edward Harris sparked a shower of criticism from Members of Parliament and the public. The museum subsequently dropped its objections to the institute.

Yesterday, one official said: "An awful lot of people were upset with the way the Maritime Museum dealt with the issue. You can't say our public image is all that hot.'' It is understood that the museum is aiming to create board committees that will exercise greater policy and day-to-day control of the museum and its operations.

"It's fair to say that the directors feel they should take a more active role in the running of the museum,'' one insider said.

The work is considered in its early stages but aims at improved museum exhibits and presentation, better preservation of artifacts and greater exhibit changeover.

A marketing committee is also proposed to increase visitor numbers as well as the museum's local image.

Off-the-record interviews yesterday indicated the museum was seen as too academic, too uninterested in catering to the public and its exhibits unchanging and increasingly tired looking.

"We've got to get more people through the gate,'' one trustee said. "Over the past ten years visitor numbers have remained static. At the same time, more visitors will help fund our academic pursuits.'' Last night, museum director Dr. Edward Harris declined comment. "It would be completely improper for me to say anything,'' he said. "The Board's proceedings are confidential.'' Dr. Arnell was off the Island and unavailable for comment.