The Red Ensign Group of British Maritime Registers' 1998 conference wrapped up on Thursday with Transport Minister Erwin Adderley pledging to improve Bermuda's shipping register.

Conference chair, UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency chief executive Maurice Storey, said: "I am pleased at the spirit of cooperation displayed at this, my first, Red Ensign conference.

"The Red Ensign Group has long been recognised as one of the premier flags noted for its operation of safe high quality ships in all of the world's major ports.

"The decision of the conference to work together to ensure the strength of the British Register was used to the maximum effect of enhancing ship safety and reducing the risk of pollution.'' Some 30 delegates from Bermuda, the UK, Isle of Man, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos descended upon the Belmont Hotel for the three-day conference.

It focussed on issues designed to enhance the group's high quality operation without imposing an overburdening framework, said Mr. Storey.

New initiatives designed to rid the world of sub-standard shipping were discussed including the implementation of superior seafaring standards.

Included among the group were a Bermuda delegation headed by Principal Marine Surveyor, Capt. Pat Nawaratne.

Mr. Storey said: "Under the very able stewardship of Capt. Nawaratne, the Bermuda Register has demonstrated the commercial success that can be achieved by operating a first-class register.

"Bermuda tonnage not only trades under one of the great quality flags of shipping -- the Red Ensign -- but contributes directly both to the reputation of the flag in the market and to the influence of the British Register in international fora.'' But Mr. Adderley stressed that while he was pleased with Mr. Storey's comments, Bermuda would not rest on its laurels.

"I have taken note of his positive comments on the quality of the Bermuda register.

"However, although we maintain high standards on the register, we still have one obstacle to remove.

"This is our listing as a flag of convenience by the International Transport Workers Federation. I will instruct my technical officer to explore ways to overcome this obstacle.'' Mr. Adderley explained later that being described as a flag of convenience suggested undertones of poor quality and proved to be an impediment to the number of ships on the Bermuda Register.