After days of controversy, the floating book fair officially dropped its gangplank and opened doors to the public yesterday in a colourful ceremony involving crew representing 45 different nations.

Premier Alex Scott, MP Walter Lister, Police Commissioner George Jackson, Hamilton Mayor Lawson Mapp, executive vice president of the Chamber of Commerce Diane Gordon and other dignitaries attended the opening at Number Six Shed which was followed by a tour of the ship and the book fair.

The project promotes international understanding and world-wide education.

Through cultural exchange Through cultural exchange programmes, community service and initiatives and the floating book fair, the ship experience encourages all who go abroad to expand their horizons and embark on a voyage of discovery.

In spite of controversy from retailers over the ship?s arrival at the peak of the Christmas shopping season, Premier Alex Scott welcomed the crew to Bermuda, saying that despite the Island?s size, the people of Bermuda had big hearts and he hoped the crew would discover this during their stay in port.

?We are made to understand that when you leave a port, there is more reading, more use of books by young people so I think our merchants will be very happy you have come, shared some moments with us and we will all be richer for it,? he said.

Despite much protest from local bookstores, the ship remained open for sales until 10 p.m. last night.

Backed by the Chamber of Commerce, local bookstores called for a ban on the sale of books from the until after the holidays as books sold on board are a fraction of their retail value and pose a threat to local Christmas sales.

The Chamber also protested the fact that none of crew have work permits.

Acting Chief Immigration Officer Rozy Azhar on Wednesday said permission was requested by Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, who are acting as the sponsor for the, for crew to sell books and permission was granted.

Leading up to Christmas, an open day will be held onboard today (Friday) from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m and members of the public are invited to explore the vessel, meet the crew and ?encounter the reason for the season?.

While a family day is planned on board on Tuesday, December 27 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will include cultural presentations, games and messages of hope to make the holiday season unique and memorable.

Some of the countries represented by crew at yesterday?s function included South Korea, India, Ghana, Canada, the US, UK, South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany and Bolivia.

Built in 1968 , has been operating since 1989 by EBE (Educational Book Exhibits) a non-profit charity organisation registered in the UK.

The vessel has undertaken port programmes in Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and many island nations around the world including the Caribbean ? their last port of call. More than 9 million visitors have been welcomed on board in over 76 countries around the world.

This 14-day visit to Bermuda is the ship?s first and of the 200 crew on board, only two have been to the Island before.

One crew member commented on the beautiful Christmas lights along Front Street, while many said they were looking forward to meeting Bermudians and doing some shopping.

Mingling with the locals is something the crew take quite seriously as part of their cultural exchange and considered themselves lucky to be spending Christmas in Bermuda.