drowned! Miss Samuels was 10 feet underwater on a diving course when her fiancee popped the question.

She burst into tears but was able to give Mr. Horbacewicz the "OK'' sign before she was helped back into the boat where she burst into tears again.

Mechanic Mr. Horbacewicz from New Jersey met New Yorker Miss Samuels, a physical therapist, on a balcony during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, three years ago.

They are holidaying in Bermuda this week, staying with his sister Miss Diane Horbacewicz.

Miss Samuels said: "He talked me into taking a diving class for the first time, with Southside Scuba. I had done the training in the pool and it was my first dive and Michael suggested that he come too.

"We were half an hour into the dive. He came up to me and showed me a dive slate which said: `Will you marry me?' "I could see a beautiful shining diamond ring on his finger which he slipped off and gave to me. I started to cry.

"I then realised that I had to keep my cool and I made my way back to the boat. When I was on the boat I started to cry again. Of course I had told him yes by giving him the OK sign with my fingers.'' Mr. Horbacewicz said he had been planning the proposal for two months and believed Bermuda would be a great place to do it.

The couple intend to get married this autumn and will probably return to Bermuda for their honeymoon.

UNDERSEAS ENGAGEMENT -- Mr. Michael Horbacewicz and his fiancee Miss Jill Samuels.