Government should rethink plans to sink a rusting Chinese ship as a new diving attraction, fisherman Danny Farias demanded last night.

In an 11th hour bid to halt the planned sinking of the Xing Da Mr. Farias called on Ministers to show compassion for the environment and call off the scuttling.

According to Mr. Farias the area earmarked for the sinking would endanger reefs and affect migrating Groupers.

"If I had my way the thing would have been sent off to Florida and not sunk here at all. We don't need another wreck,'' said Mr. Farias.

The Xing Da is finally due to be sunk today about 1.8 miles off the Eastern Blue Cut light beacon, in an area clear of the reefs.

Earlier this month Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess raised fishermen's concerns over the sinking with Government.

Fishermen were worried that the sandhole where the ship would rest was too small and that the 225-foot freighter could shift in heavy weather and damage the reefs.

Mr. Farias added: "Here we are screaming about protecting the reefs yet we are taking a ship and putting it almost on top of the reefs without taking into account hurricanes and winter gales.

"In that depth of water there are also migrating Groupers which we are trying to protect and manage.'' He said other areas, including an area near Daniel's Head, should be examined before the ship was sunk and added: "If I had my way the ship would not stay in Bermuda at all.'' Last night Environment Minister Irving Pearman said he was happy with the site selected for the sinking.

"We have dealt with all the questions raised and we have appreciated all the questions that have been raised to make sure the right and proper thing is done,'' said Mr. Pearman.

"There is a sand basin half as long again as the ship and twice as wide as the ship and we are satisfied that the right spot has been selected.'' fishing areas around it and we have looked at the situation with the Groupers and they will not be affected,'' added the Minister.

If the Xing Da is sunk today it will be the final resting place of a ship targeted in a US sting operation to crackdown on a ring dealing in smuggling immigrants into North America from China.

US Coastguards found 83 Chinese passengers crammed into the ship's small and stinking hold when they board the vessel off Bermuda.

Later three people were arrested in the US in connection with running a human smuggling ring and the Chinese passengers were sent back to their homeland.