A Chinese ship -- crewed by suspected Chinese mafia members and carrying more than 80 migrants -- is due to arrive in Bermuda tomorrow under US Marine armed guard.

The ship, the Xing Da is being towed by a US Coast Guard cutter into Bermuda where she will berth at Murrary's Anchorage.

Bermuda Police will keep an around-the-clock vigil to ensure no-one jumps ship and the Regiment has been put on stand-by to help.

No-one will be allowed to leave the vessel and if it cannot be repaired quickly, passengers and crew will be taken by the Marines to Bermuda's Airport where planes will take them to America.

The 221-foot ship, which is registered in Canton in the People's Republic of China, set sail last June apparently heading for America with 83 suspected illegal migrants on board.

But it developed mechanical problems about 140 miles west of Bermuda last Thursday when US Marines and Coast Guard men were put on board -- after US authorities contacted the Chinese Government for permission.

It is understood the vessel had been under surveillance before it developed mechanical problems.

The Marines and Coast Guard were unable to repair the ship and as seas became rougher -- with ten feet swells -- the Bermuda Government was asked on Saturday to allow it into the Island.

Government was yesterday stressing it made its decision on humanitarian grounds and under the terms of the international Safety of Life at Sea convention under which it is obliged to help ships in distress.

It also stressed that neither the migrants or crew will be allowed to stay in Bermuda and that the ship will remain under US control while in Bermuda's waters.

"We are helping to facilitate a US operation,'' said Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness.

"We had a request from the US Government because the ship was in a state of distress. We are helping the US authorities get these people to an American processing centre,'' added the Minister.

Mr. Edness chaired a meeting at Police headquarters with senior officers and Government officials yesterday to discuss the situation.

"The assistance we have been asked for is safe anchorage for the disabled vessel, which we will provide at Murray's Anchorage.

"The United States Government has assured us that they will retain responsibility for the ship, its passengers and its crew while in Bermuda waters.

"We have asked that if the ship is not capable of immediate repair, those on board be flown out of Bermuda immediately.'' It is understood that the US Government is prepared to fly planes to Bermuda before the ship berths to take the passengers and crew to America.

Edness: Chinese will stay on ship Mr. Edness added: "The Bermuda Government has made it quite clear that none of those on board the vessel will be formally landed in Bermuda. They will remain at all times under the control of US authorities.'' He confirmed that Police would guard the land around the Murray's Anchorage area to ensure no-one tried to get ashore. Mr. Edness also confirmed that the Regiment had been put on stand-by to help if necessary.

"We have been informed that the crew are Chinese mafia. This ship was apparently trying to get people into America and if that is the case we have to make certain that we have everything in place.

"We do not know who the people are that we are dealing with and we have to be prepared for any possible contingency.'' When the ship was boarded last Thursday the passengers -- which include six women -- were dehydrated but otherwise healthy. Water was flown onto the ship by the US Coast Guard.

No-one on board needs medical attention and it is understood there is enough food on the ship.

She is being towed into Bermuda by a US Coast Guard cutter and is only making three knots in the heavy seas. It is expected she will be off Bermuda tomorrow lunchtime.

It is believed that it is not the first time that vessels carrying suspected illegal migrants have been stopped by the US Coast Guard near Bermuda.

Last night no-one from the US Coast Guard or the US Consul in Bermuda would comment on the operation.