Bermuda is set to come into international prominence with an initiative to clean up the earth's oceans, thanks to a visiting sailor.

Keeping the waters of the world clean and free of trash has become the mission of Carlos Miles, a Mexican sailor and founder of International Pollution Police Organisation.

He said he came up with the idea on his way to Bermuda from Cancun.

The concept is a simple one - if you see a piece of trash you are to pick it up.

"Bermuda is the place where this idea really took shape," said Mr. Miles.

"It came to me as I was on my way sailing here, but after I arrived and started talking to people about it, it really took off and Bermuda is its headquarters."

Calling himself an "ocean garbage collector" Mr. Miles said members of the organisation as pollution police would simply have to pick up garbage wherever they see it.

"You will need no recognition from anyone but yourself to be a pollution cop," he said, but added that those interested should subscribe to his ten principles.

"This is not a money making thing," he said, "but in the future we would like if National Geographic or the Discovery channel became interested and helped us get the message out.

"I have already devoted my life to it."

Sailing since he was five years old in his native Mexico City, Mr. Miles said he has spent the better part of his 29 years on the oceans of the world.

"I have been to so many places," he said, "and what I do in many areas now is take before and after pictures."

Mr. Miles said he will post the photos on his website www.ippo.org, which is currently under construction.

"It will just make it so clear the difference one person can make," he said.

Currently en route to Majorca in Spain via the Azores, Mr. Miles said he plans to return to Bermuda once his current commitment is up. In the meantime interested people can contact him at capitanespiral yahoo.com.