tore up the East Coast of the US over the weekend.

However shipping chiefs said the delays encountered were minor and the container and cruise ships should be back on their regular schedules next week.

The Somers Isles arrived yesterday -- a day later than normal -- after she encountered the rough seas left in Bertha's wake while sailing to the Island from Fernandina Beach, said Meyer Agencies spokesman Stephen Paynter.

He added that the Bermuda Islander had arrived yesterday afternoon -- only a few hours later than normally planned.

Also expected to arrive a day later than normal was the Oleander , said Container Ship Management Ltd. vice president Robert Lewis.

She was due in today after her departure from Port Elizabeth, New Jersey was delayed until Saturday evening while her crew waited to see what the storm would do.

On the cruise ship scene, most regular callers were unaffected by the storm although two arrived yesterday slightly later than slated to.

Mr. Paynter said that despite encountering heavy seas, the Dreamward and the Zenith had both arrived only a few hours later than planned yesterday.