advertisement today, complaining of "continuing misinformation'' about their project.

They were especially concerned that false information was circulating about the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute's collections policy.

That policy has been criticised by the Council of American Maritime Museums for having too many loopholes, it was learned yesterday.

In a letter obtained by The Royal Gazette , the CAMM archaeological committee said it had found the BUEI's collections policy "conformed in only one respect'' to the International Congress of Maritime Museums' policy.

"The opening clause (of the BUEI's policy) that, `The institute shall adhere to archaeological standards ...' does not provide the protection needed for archaeological resources as it is written in such a way to suggest that those standards relate only to the clause beginning with `not knowingly acquire','' a committee spokesperson wrote.

CAMM called on BUEI trustees, who include divers Teddy Tucker and Harry Cox and Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul, to adopt all the ICMM's resolutions.

"The adoption of the full set of 1993 ICMM resolutions and the clause indicated above regarding salvage would put to rest the concerns many have with regards to activities of local salvage divers,'' the ICMM said.

It would also close the loophole in a resolution pertaining to objects "illegally salvaged''.

"Under present Bermuda law, an underwater site can be legally salvaged so that unless adherence is had to resolution two, members of the public could legally salvage a site and donate or loan the objects to the institute,'' an ICMM spokesperson wrote.

"The ICCM policy does not refer to objects on loan and it is clear from Institute publicity materials that they do not propose to build up a permanent collection. The lack of a permanent collection works completely against the intent of resolution five.'' The BUEI trustees took up most of the advertisement defending its collection policy, which they said followed international standards and had been endorsed by a number of overseas museums.

They also said the BUEI, planned for East Broadway, was a non-profit organisation; its primary purpose was to advance knowledge and understanding of the ocean and encourage protection of the marine environment; and it will attract world-wide attention, trustees said.

Dr. Saul responded to ICMM's criticism of its policy by saying it was "much ado about nothing''.

"I see all this as a real bunch of personality clashes,'' he said. "Our collections policy is perfectly adequate.'' He said the institute "just did not have room to stockpile'' collections from the deep.

And it was not a museum, but a Disney-land-style entertainment and educational complex, featuring such things as rolling exhibits, high-tech equipment and simulated undersea rides.