revealed yesterday.

Marine and Ports officials have been told to make savings, and the four-year-old Canima has been nominated to bear the brunt.

Under the cuts plan, the crew of five would be re-assigned and the boat would be "semi-laid up'', although still available for duty if needed.

In the Senate yesterday, Sen. Ira Philip (PLP) said he had been informed the boat was to be mothballed.

He asked for an assurance that this would not lead to redundancies, pay cuts or inconvenience to the public.

The tender had only been "on line'' a comparatively short time, he said. He had been informed that there had been problems with the tender before she arrived in Bermuda and during her time in service.

Government transport spokeswoman Sen. Pamela Gordon said: "There are no plans at this point to make any redundancies. The workers will be re-assigned to other jobs according to their existing job levels and their experience.'' She asked senators to bear in mind the recession and the need to reduce the burden on taxpayers.

Sen. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) criticised Government planning. The tender had been ordered because of an increase in the number of cruise ships, he said, but a short time afterwards the number of cruise ships had declined.