One of Bermuda's pre-eminent conservationists has slammed Government plans to accommodate mega-cruise ships in local waters ? labelling the controversial initiative as "outrageous", environmentally irresponsible and a defiance of common sense.

Speaking to yesterday, former Government Conservation Officer David Wingate joined a chorus of disapproval at the idea of dredging and widening the Island's shipping lanes ? arguing such a move would cause "catastrophic" damage to Bermuda's marine environment.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown last month officially unveiled the Ministry's Ports Enhancement Project which, along with the redevelopment of the Island's waterfronts into pedestrianised commercial zones, will involve the reconfiguration of all harbours and ports to accommodate the larger ships which are beginning to dominate the cruise industry world-wide.

However, Dr. Wingate argued mega-ships are nothing more than a "passing fad", while suggesting that moves to accommodate them make little long-term economic sense and would prove too heavy a burden on Bermuda's already swollen infrastructure.

The negative ramifications of widening and dredging Town Cut off St. George's have also not yet been properly considered, he continued, intimating that the historic old town would be vulnerable to extensive flooding during a hurricane if the channel is deepened significantly.

"If Bermuda was hit by a category four hurricane from the east, the major ocean swells, coupled with the accompanying storm surge would not be abated if the channel is made deeper," he argued.

"Major hurricanes back in 1839 and 1899 saw St. George's town square flooded right up to buildings' second storey. Fabian did not do that but the potential is there. It must also not be forgotten that to widen Town Cut, you will have to encroach to some extent on Higgs Island, which is protected National Park. This represents the second time this year [along with plans for a new hospital that the suggestion of building on protected parkland has been bandied about. I think it is setting a very dangerous precedent. But the whole mega-ship scheme is just so outrageous. It does not make any sense. Ewart Brown has a reputation for getting things done but in this instance he must take a long, hard look at the likely environmental impacts versus the tangible benefits to tourism and the economy before taking such drastic action."

Along with others, Dr. Wingate also called for the commissioning of an independent environmental impact report ? to be made public on release ? before any concrete plans are formulated within the Ministry of Transport.

Meanwhile, another environmentalist, Stuart Hayward said that while he appreciated Dr. Brown's "sterling efforts" to revive the tourism industry, he too was deeply concerned over the prospect of allowing mega-ships to come to Bermuda.

"I'm really not convinced mega-ships are the right way to go," he said.

"It is a tough issue I admit. But I am not sure our infrastructure can cope with thousands of people simply plonked down at one go in a single location. But what concerns me more is that the public really has not been furnished with a great deal of information on the subject and the plan seems to be more developed than it should be given that no environmental impact report has been completed."

Such a report is obligatory under the Environment Charter, Mr. Hayward pointed out, signed by then-Premier Jennifer Smith on September 26, 2001.