Hamilton Harbour will be ablaze with that fabulous Christmas BUEI Boat Parade, consisting of 65 boats this year, on Saturday evening December 16.

A fleet of luminous boats are set to take part in the third annual Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, (BUEI) Christmas Boat Parade, which has turned out to be one of the festive season's major highlights.

It begins at the Royal Bermuda Yacht club at 6.30 p.m., culminating in a grand fireworks display on White's Island, sponsored by XL, shortly after 8.00 p.m.

Boats of all sizes will be featured from runabouts to yachts of more than 100 feet.

The boats will be decorated with lights, holiday decorations, figurines and in some cases, animation and live characters! Also featured will be the Marine and Ports buoy tender Dragon , with its fire hoses spraying 70 feet into the night sky lit up in holiday colours.

Many of Hamilton's leading retailers will stay open until 10 p.m. on the night of the boat parade to allow spectators a chance to shop in a festive atmosphere.

According to organising committee chairman, Ian Coles, The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club will be open to the public during the parade, and full bar, buffet supper and light snacks will be available throughout the evening.

Meanwhile, several businesses, hotels and restaurants along the route have signified that they are arranging special functions to take advantage of the marine festivities.

The organisers are expecting thousands of excited spectators to turn out to watch the parade. It is estimated that about 15,000 people watched last year.

"For the best views we are suggesting the public watch from Front Street or Harbour Road,'' said Mr. Coles.

"The Corporation of Hamilton have kindly agreed to erect bleachers at the flagpole and at Albouy's Point, so these could be particularly good viewing points.

"For those planning to watch the parade from their own boats we are creating special on-the-water spectator areas.

"With 65 parade boats, plus spectator boats in the Harbour at night, we are making a special appeal for all boaters to follow marine safety regulations at all times and to listen to marine channel 72 for the instructions of the parade marshals.'' Live commentary on the parade will be broadcast on Radio VSB Mix 106FM and the radio programme will be co-hosted by Peter Lewis of Radio VSB and Norma Thomson, founder of the BUEI Christmas Boat Parade.

Judging will take place in ten categories, with first, second and third prizes awarded in each.

Top prize for the `Best Boat Overall' is two airline tickets to New York, courtesy of American Airlines.

A few of last year's winners were: Best overall, Dennis Cor reia's Clevelander .

Best sailboat, Andrew Bams han's Night Wind Best commercial boat, James O'Connor's Rambler .

Albouy's Point will be closed to all traffic from four p.m.

"The parade has become an important event not only for the local community, but also for the tourism industry, as a major attraction for Bermuda's holiday visitors,'' concluded Mr. Coles.