Modifications to a cruise ship to solve annoying vibrations may be carried out before she returns for the next summer season.

Reverberations from the Royal Majesty have prompted some residents in St.

George's to begin a petition protesting over the noises which they claim are keeping them awake and even shaking plates off walls.

Residents in the Convict Bay area say they are badly affected by the ship, which berths a few hundreds yards from their homes.

But tests carried out on the ship, in Miami, by Majesty Cruise Line, proved sound levels were within international standards.

And measurements taken locally, in St. George's, produced the same results.

Dr. Tom Sleeter, an environment engineer with the Environment Ministry, said last week: "Tests were carried out all around the St. George's area and the results show the noise was within standards. However, there is still a problem.'' An expert from the London-based Lloyds Register has been taking readings on the ship for the last two days, examining the exhaust and silencers in particular.

"The intent of the Royal Majesty is to take these measurements from Lloyds and come up with some recommendations so the problem can be resolved when the ship goes into dry dock in November,'' added Dr. Sleeter.

The Royal Majesty has a hull converted from a car ferry and was made in Finland. Talks have also taken place between Majesty Cruise Line and the Finnish builders to try and resolve the problem.

Mr. Don Macpherson, president of the ship's Bermuda agents John S. Darrell, said the Lloyds man, Mr. Sai Wong, had been working through the night, armed with equipment worth $80,000.

"I am sure that as a result of these tests, some solution will be found and some action will be taken. If it's something extensive it will happen in November,'' added Mr. Macpherson.

He said even though tests had shown the noise was within international standards, it was still "a frustrating'' problem.

"If there was a quick fix, Majesty Cruise Line would have done something as soon as it possibly could have done.''