more complaints from visitors to the Island.

Mr. Gerry Ardis was the target of an attack following his statement to The Royal Gazette after a yacht captain complained of Customs Officers damaging his yacht.

Sen. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) said that Mr. Ardis' attitude was wrong and he was not setting a good example to younger Customs officers.

The Senate debate centred around a number of recent complaints by visitors and residents but particularly that of Bermudian Mr. Danny Cannonier who is demanding action to repair damage to the luxury $85,000 yacht he was delivering.

At the time of the complaint Mr. Ardis said: "We have no obligation to leave a vessel exactly as we found it. Normally people put in a claim and we consider it based on information from our officers and the claimant, and if the damage can be verified we do compensate the person.'' Sen. Woolridge said: "We need to encourage Customs officers to search boats and do their job, but not with this attitude. That they can leave a vessel in such a fashion is not right.

"How do we expect junior Customs officers to perform if they are given this type of example by the Collector of Customs? It is not surprising that we are seeing these complaints.

"He must realise that he is a high ranking civil servant and he must behave responsibly and encourage others to do likewise.'' Opposition leader Sen. Alex Scott said: "Customs officers have an onerous task and they have often been quite accomplished in their responsibilities but with a demeanour expected in Bermuda.

"The Collector of Customs said that officers were not required to put this boat right. This is not the way Bermudians or visitors should be treated.'' Sen. Scott expressed amazement at one complaint after a report that an Airport Customs officer claimed to be able to check if a person was a suspect by putting his hand to his chest and testing his heartbeat. He also mentioned other recent complaints.

`We should review how officers are carrying out their responsibilities,'' he said.

Government Sen. Wendell Hollis said that everyone must realise that Customs officers have a difficult job to do in spotting people they suspect of drug importation.

He said: "I would suggest that the complaints that we have nowadays are few and far between. For the half million people who enter Bermuda there are perhaps 100 cases that are complained about. That is a relatively small percentage.'' MR. GERRY ARDIS -- under fire from Sen. Trevor Woolridge for remarks made following a recent complaint over a Customs' search.