A crude-oil supertanker was stranded off the coast of Bermuda last night after an explosion in the ship's engine room.

The 1,127-foot British Valour is loaded with 300,000 tons of North Sea crude oil and was recorded drifting eastward at 8 p.m. yesterday.

The captain of the Isle of Man-registered tanker confirmed the ship had suffered a crankcase explosion approximately on Sunday evening, leaving it dead in the water.

The ship was en route from Norway to Freeport Texas when the incident occurred. None of the 22-member crew were hurt and no oil leak ensued.

The ship is not expected to pose a threat to Bermuda's fragile ocean and shore environment.

Two representatives from ship owner, BP Amoco Shipping, will arrive on the Island today and a US, Delaware-based tug, thought to be the ex-navy Pow Hatten , is currently heading towards the scene and expected to arrive by tomorrow afternoon.

A BP spokesperson said: "The weather has not been working against us luckily, and the forecasts look good.'' Marine and Ports Director Ron Ross said authorities began tracking the vessel after the US Coast Guard told them about the ship's difficulties yesterday morning.

Authorities also assessed the availability of local tugs that may be required to transport men and parts out to the stricken ship, said Mr. Ross.

He said the ship was well clear of the Island and added: "We will keep a watch on it and provide all the assistance we can.'' A Harbour Radio spokesman said yesterday that crew members on board were trying to repair the engine with available spare parts and equipment, but it was likely the vessel would have to be towed. The spokesman added there was no danger to the vessel or crew members.

The boat was chartered by Statoil, the Norwegian state oil company.

While the ship floats eastward, some raised concerns with Bermuda's ability to cope with a large-scale oil spill.

The British Valour contains 300,000 tons of oil but the Island can only contend with a spill of up to ten tons, said Environment Ministry's Dr. Thomas Sleeter.

Marine Pollution Contingency Committee (MPCC), Clean Caribbean Cooperative (CCC) and the US Coast Guard are Bermuda's line of defence against major industrial spills.

But previous accidents include: The 1976 spill from the cruise ship Statendam , that spread up to 10,000 gallons along North Shore and in Hamilton Harbour.

The 1979 spill from the Mari Boeing which was grounded near North Rock and spilled 30,000 gallons of oil.

The Mexican supertanker called Aguila Azteca was grounded on the outer reefs in 1983 with more than 100,000 tons of crude oil on board -- nearly 31 million gallons.

Then-Environment Minister, Senator Gerald Simons, said: "Had (the ship) broken up a cordon of oil one square metre would have formed around the Island, finding its way into every bay, nook and cranny.'' SHIPPING SHI