A diving accident has left a 17-year-old Paget man in hospital after he struck his head on the ocean floor.

The accident took place at Chaplin Bay Beach in Southampton on Sunday night at about 10.45 p.m.

The teenager was diving in the area and miscalculated the depth of the water which resulted in the him striking his head on the bottom.

He was rushed to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he was listed in intensive care in critical but stable condition last night.

Police and Director of the Parks Candy-Lee Foggo reminded the public that diving is an inherently dangerous act and individuals must exercise sound judgment when diving into the water. Before diving one should check the depth of the water to insure that it is not too shallow.

Lobster licence period extended

Government has extended the period during which the public can apply for lobster licences.

The application period for the 2002/2003 season began on July 15 and runs until September 27.

Environment Minister Dennis Lister said he made the change in accordance with Fisheries Regulations because many people were unable to apply for a lobster licence during the month of August because it was a holiday period.

The licence allows free divers to take up to two legal-sized spiny lobsters per day using a noose.

Breathing apparatus and the use of spears and other gear is prohibited as is the taking of lobsters before September 1.

The Minister said those who have previously held lobster licences can renew these licences by mail.

Archive fee regulations approved

Researchers now have a formal fee structure for services provided by the Bermuda Archives after the MPs approved regulations brought by Finance Minister Eugene Cox.

The new fee structure makes a distinction between commercial use and scholarly research and allows for different fees to be charged for reproducing items held by the Archives.

Mr. Cox explained that the Archive has a rate sheet available to the public.

Parliamentarians on both sides noted that there had been a renewed interest in researching Bermuda's history.

“It's a very expensive undertaking to have an archive somebody has to pay for it,” said backbencher Dale Butler.

The facility gave “value for money” and was the “envy of the world,” he added.

The new fee structure should bring the Archives an extra $8,000 in annual revenue based on present usage, Mr. Cox said.

Premier Jennifer Smith reminded her colleagues that public and judicial records are classified for 30 years, except for personal records which can only be accessed with the written permission of the person involved.