After opening its doors last week Thursday, still has Bermudians flocking to the ship to buy books. At lunchtime yesterday 443 people had visited to buy books, browse or take a tour.

Despite accusations it is taking business from local bookstores, still has customers visiting for a unique shopping experience which includes perusing a host of bibles while Christian music is played.

Paul Heffernan visited the ship yesterday and said in comparison to local bookstores has a better Christian selection. ?I?m just here to buy books as gifts for my family,? Mr. Heffernan said.

Georgina Roach said there was an ?excellent selection? on the ship which offered a ?different experience?.

The ship was purchased in 1989 by Educational Book Exhibits Ltd (EBE), a private, non-profit, charitable organisation registered in the United Kingdom and is operated on behalf of EBE by Gute B?cher f?r Alle (Good Books for All), a second private, non-profit, charitable organisation registered in Germany. visits port cities throughout the world, supplying books, encouraging inter-cultural understanding, training young people for more effective life and service, promoting greater global awareness, providing aid and sharing God?s word.

Since first setting sail, more than nine million visitors have been welcomed on board for tours, programmes and visits to the floating bookshop and with stops in over 280 ports, the ship has visited 76 countries.