The Island has been graced this month by the latest, most sophisticated cable laying ship in the Global Crossing fleet -- the CS Bold Endeavour .

With the smell of fresh paint still hanging about the air the Bold Endeavour will soon leave the Island to begin its first mission.

Fresh from sea trials off the South Shore, it is on a two month shakedown cruise to make sure all of its systems are operating.

Part of a fleet of 28 ships and 21 submersibles, it is the front line in the installation and maintenance of Global Crossing's network between four continents.

Operated by Global Marine Systems, its sister ships were once part of the Cable and Wireless empire.

Captain Franklin Kitt is a veteran of the C&W fleet and has now settled into the new job of running the Bold Endeavour -- a far cry from the ships he first earned his sea legs on.

The 129 metre long, 22 metre wide, 8,000 ton vessel was launched on December 1 in Holland and made its debut in London on December 15. She was built for 30 million.

The Bold Endeavour can pull up to 65 tons of "bollard pull'' like a tugboat, and has six thrusters including two which are manoeuvrable through a 360 degree arc to provide 38 tons of thrust.

Dozens of computer monitors are scattered about the bridge and there are few analogue dials to be seen, save for large clocks found in all public areas.

Fitted like a hotel, the ship features a full galley, laundry, gym, bar for the officers, and two messes.

On the rear deck there is a remotely piloted vehicle for cable repair, a sea plow for burying cable in seas down to 1,500 metres, huge buoys, and up to 8,000 kilometres of cable diagonally across the North Atlantic.

The cable is stored in a cavernous hold below decks in two six metre high containers. The cable is wound around a four foot shaft, ready for deployment.

Global Crossing is building and operating the world's most advanced fibre-optic system for data, voice, video, and Internet communications.

The 20 British officers and 30 Fijian crew can operate the ship for up to 60 days at sea, controlling it so precisely, it can hold over one spot give or take five metres anywhere in the world in the roughest of seas.

"It's quite unlike back in my day,'' Capt. Kitt said as he climbed to the bridge, nine decks high. "The job is more technical now, with these computers.'' "I was pleased to be appointed in command. She is the newest and most modern cable layer in the world,'' the South Devon, England native added.

He added: "We have been out proving her and her equipment, laying 20 kilometres of cable, taking it up and laying it again.'' In February, the ship will cross the Atlantic to pick up cable for a trans-Atlantic communications line.

It is only in Bermuda on standby while a ship for the Caribbean run comes on station.

Speaking about his life on a cable ship, Capt. Kitt, a married man, said he had been at sea for 32 years. He had never been to Bermuda.

"Yes, after 21 years in Cable and Wireless it is exceptional that I haven't been here before,'' he said.

When asked if he would recommend the seafaring life to young people, he said: "I would recommend it to young people.

"The job is more technical, but it is more stimulating for young people with technical abilities. Global Marine is currently taking on cadets in the company as apprentices looking for a career in the cable ships.''