collect the deceased sailor on board the Greek-owned chemical tanker MV Chopin .

The 39-year-old died of severe head injuries in an explosion aboard the Bahamian-flagged tanker, which was en route to Corpus Christi, Texas.

The ship was due to arrive near the Island at about 11 p.m. last night, where it was due to be met by the pilot boat.

The MV Chopin then carried on its voyage, leaving the dead Russian sailor in the hands of the Bermudian authorities.

The US Coast Guard dispatched a C-130 aircraft to the Island on Monday after hearing that the man was at first sick. A Coast Guard helicopter was scheduled to rendezvous with the tanker when it was 250 miles north east of the Island.

However, the mission, which would have taken the man to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, was cancelled when the man died.

In other shipping news, a new dumper truck, two fire trucks and two new pleasure boats arrived on the Island this week.

The Oleander arrived on Sunday also carrying 13 cars, one trailer, 39 frigerated containers and 159 dry containers.

She sailed out yesterday morning.

Also in this week was the Somers Isle container ship, which carried a total of 129 containers, including seven refrigerated boxes, and also two that were 40ft in size and carrying specialist equipment. She also had on board two pleasure boats and 40 bundles of various building supplies.

The Bermuda Islander is due in tomorrow carrying 134 containers, of which 19 are refrigerated. She leaves on Friday to return to New Jersey.

Capt. John Moore, of Meyer Agencies, reported that the cable ship the Skandi Hav arrived on Sunday with the cable transporter vessel the Danica Red . They are expected to leave later this week out of St. George's Penno's Wharf.

And the Starfish cement carrier, which was due to arrive today, is now not expected. It is still in Venezuela and it is not yet known when it will leave and set sail for Bermuda.