top ranks barely two months after officially opening its doors.

Out are Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute executive director Nancy Brennan, Board of Trustees' chairman David Lines and eight other trustees.

These departures include Kirk Cooper, Harry Cox, Eduardo Cutillas, Alan Dunch, Saul Froomkin, Sir David Gibbons, Frank Mutch and Allan (Smokey) Wingood.

In as chairman following Wednesday night's Board meeting is Lt. Col. Brendan Hollis who yesterday said the large number of departures was mainly coincidental.

"It just happened that way. This was the planned time for Board changes. It just happened that Nancy Brennan was offered a very good job which coincided with the Board changes,'' said Lt. Col. Hollis.

"She will be with us for the next couple of months. She was offered a really good position and wisely chose to take it.'' BUEI plan to appoint an interim acting director while a successor is sought for Ms Brennan, said Lt. Col.

Hollis. The facility officially opened in July.

Ms Brennan will take up the position of executive director at Plimoth Plantation, one of America's largest history museums, in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Elected to the position of deputy chairmen during the meeting were former Bank of Butterfield president and chief executive officer Michael Collier and Mid Ocean Reinsurance Co. Ltd. president Michael Butt.

They replace former deputy chairman Jack Lightbourn who remains on the Board.

Other new trustees elected were James Butterfield, Michael DeGroote, James Gibbons, Peter Green, Brian Hall, Robert Mulderig, Pauline Richards and Ralph Richardson.

And Lt. Col. Hollis pointed out that the trustees who had left had "done their time''.

"Built into the by-laws of the Institution is the requirement for the rotation of the trustees. Right from the beginning trustees have to rotate off the Board.'' He said this rotation occurred anywhere between a one to five year period depending on the individual.

And he added: "After a period off the Board they could be invited back on, if the Board wished.'' Lt. Col. Hollis said: "Nancy Brennan came to us with the reputation of being an expert in getting new institutions open and operating efficiently, and I can say that she has done an excellent job.

"We are indeed fortunate to have had someone with such superb organisational skills and experience to see us through the opening of this rather complex institution.'' Lt. Col. Hollis was praised by outgoing Board chairman David Lines who stepped down after five years at the post.

"I am delighted that a man of his experience has stepped into the position.

Lt. Col. Hollis brings a rare combination of vision and organisational skills to the Underwater Institute's leadership.

"There is much to be done in the years ahead. Moreover, he is keen to develop the Institute's potential as a premier educational resource for Bermuda.'' Lt. Col. Hollis said plans to do this "are being formulated right now''.

"This is one of the things I see the Institute being very involved in.'' NANCY BRENNAN -- Accepts job in US.