Seven Belco technicians came back from Anguilla earlier this month after helping restore electricity to parts of the island.

The island was left devastated by Hurricane Luis, and, as Bermuda is a member of the Caribbean Utility Association, Belco was asked to lend a hand.

The men stayed on the island for three weeks helping to restore power to residents.

The seven line crew -- David DeSilva, Neil Turini, Roger Grant, Calvin Cumberbatch, Marlon Lindsey, Lloyd Evans and Milton Smith -- worked 10 to 13 hours a day seven days a week.

And at all times they were without the luxury of a bucket lift to get them to the top of the poles.

"We had to climb up the poles and we all have scars to prove it,'' Mr. Turini said.

Mr. Smith said Bermudians should not complain when their electricity was out for an hour because "a lot of the people of Anguilla have not had electricity since September and probably will not have it until Christmas.'' But they did not let him get them down.

Mr. Evans said that he worked alongside a local man whose house had been destroyed by the hurricane but "you would think that he had electricity, you just couldn't tell by his demeanour.'' The Belco men said the local electric light company was pleased with their work. "Our line training really helped to make the job much easier,'' Mr.

Cumberbatch said.

Belco engineer Mr. Doug Frith said the Bermuda team "made the company proud.'' ELECTRIC TEAM -- These seven Belco employees spent three weeks in Anguilla last month helping to restore their electricity after Hurricane Luis.

Pictured, front row left to right, are David DeSilva, Neil Turini, and Roger Grant. Back row, left to right, are Calvin Cumberbatch, Marlon Lindsey, Lloyd Evans and Milton Smith.