Two weeks after it arriving in Bermuda the Christian Ministry ship Logos II sets sail later this afternoon with one extra passenger onboard.

An 18-year-old Bermudian has opted to experience life with the floating Christian community for the next three months, and there may be a few other Islanders doing the same in the coming years after they used the opportunity of the ship's first visit to find out more about its mission.

Anyone wanting to pay a final visit to the ship, and its book fair, has only until 1 p.m. today to do so as the ship is due to set sail around 3.30 p.m.

It has been an interesting visit for the Logos II and its multinational crew, who arrived a few days before Christmas and immediately sparked concern from the Chamber of Commerce about the possible impact the onboard book fair would have on local retailers.

"We had some problems in the beginning. A lot of the focus went on the books, but our mission is 'knowledge, help and hope' and the books are only the knowledge part," said project coordinator David Waugh.

The ship and its crew have reached out to the community, welcoming on board the Project Angel Tree with prisoners' children taking part in an interactive programme and enjoying a party.

And young mothers and their children from Teen Haven had a similar welcome. Many of the young mums were last night due to be treated to an evening bowling, while their children were looked after by crew members.

In another sporting endeavour a team from the ship played a local side at football and found the Bermudians too hot to handle losing 4-3.

In one of its final gestures youngsters from the Logos II visited the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to perform a Christmas play for patients in the continuing care units yesterday.

It was the second visit to the hospital by crew from the ship to entertain patients.

The hospital's Capri Smith said: "The visit from these beautiful children was a real highlight for our patients. It is wonderful when members of the community interact with our residents. We are grateful for the kind and generous spirit these visitors brought over the holidays."

The Logos II crew has also befriended other locals and homeless people and found the general friendliness of Bermudians to be an eye-opener.

"We've found it such a friendly atmosphere. Going into shops people say hello and good morning.

"The people of this country are so hospitable and friendly and they are not afraid to ask questions when they come on board, asking us what the ship is all about and in doing so we have been able to share our ministry," said Mr. Waugh.

"The overall support has been wonderful, we have been able to do more than we expected."

An open family day on the ship on December 27 attracted more than twice as many visitors as expected, with 1,200 people going on board to enjoy games, activities and see the Cornerstone Bible Fellowship's puppet ministry.

Mr. Waugh has been on the ship for three years and expressed his thanks for the support given by Premier Alex Scott who was amongst the first to visit the Logos II after it arrived in Hamilton, and also to all the people who had offered support or simply come onboard to find out more and meet the crew.

He hopes the Logos II replacement ship Logos Hope, currently being refurbished in Croatia and three times the tonnage of the current ship, will return to Bermuda at some point in the future.

Before leaving the Island the ship has welcomed onboard an 18-year-old girl who has signed up for a three-month stint as a crew member while the ship visits a number of Caribbean ports.

The new recruit, thought to be the first Bermudian ever to join the Logos II, was too shy to speak to The Royal Gazette but Mr. Waugh believes she will not be the only one from the Island to join in the future as there have been a number of enquiries from teenagers too young at the moment to join but who have been given permission to take to the high seas once they reach their 18th birthday.