An autopsy will be performed on the body of a tanker captain who apparently died of a heart attack in the waters off Bermuda.

The 60-year-old Belgian's body was brought to the Island from the Panama-registered tanker Camar yesterday by the pilot boat St. David and taken to the King Edward VII Hospital.

Police boarded the vessel yesterday to interview crew members about the circumstances surrounding the man's sudden death, which happened 180 miles west north-west of the Island.

"It's been a pretty trying couple of days for the crew of the ship," said Meyer Agencies spokesman Capt. John Moore.

The 26,000 tonne chemical tanker, which is currently anchored at Murray's Anchorage, was en route from Connecticut to St. Croix when the captain complained of chest pains at about 9 a.m. on Sunday and later died, despite the best efforts of crew members to revive him.

The majority of crew on board are from the Philippines and the chief officer is from Croatia.

A replacement captain and chief engineer will arrive on the Island this evening and the ship is expected to leave tomorrow morning and continue on its original course.