The Corporations of Hamilton and St. George?s want environmental impact studies to be completed before they will agree to Panamax cruise ships.

Speaking from overseas yesterday, Hamilton Mayor Lawson Mapp said the capital had never been ?in the numbers game? when it came to visitors.

?One of the big challenges is the widening of Two Rock Passage,? Mayor Mapp said. ?Environmentally, we want to make sure we don?t have to blow up any rocks, or have a negative effects on the coral reef. If that can be accomplished then maybe we will be halfway there.

He said he was concerned about whether Panamax cruise ships ? industry parlance for ships that will fit through the Panama Canal ? will fit through Two-Rock Passage.

Separate to this issue was whether the city?s infrastructure could support the large number of visitors.

?Once we get the ships in, I must be assured we have got the infrastructure to accommodate the massive amount of visitors,? he said. ?It is about whether the visitors have a good, pleasurable experience.?

Mayor Mapp mentioned whether there would be enough room for people to walk on the sidewalks, enter shops, or even whether public toilets were large enough.

?We always were not in the numbers game. But financially we have to look at how it will be rewarding for us, ? he said. ?It would be premature to make a positive statement before technical officers made an assessment.?

He said the Ministries of Transport and Tourism had asked the Corporation of Hamilton if it could do something to take Panamax ships.

?We have been working very diligently with the Ministries to do waterfront development,? he said.

There are at least three plans for the Hamilton waterfront, he said, one by Sir John Swan that was circulated to the public, one by the Corporation of Hamilton and another by Government.

St . George?s Mayor E. Michael Jones yesterday said the Corporation of St. George?s will need reports about the impact of Panamax cruise ships on the old town.

?We have not made any decisions,? Mayor Jones said yesterday. ?The Corporation will decide what?s best for the Corporation and work in partnership with everyone else.?

However, the Mayor listed a slew of subjects which could require further examination including, the environment, sewage, transportation and the effect of the ships on the people St. George?s.

?It?s not just about Town Cut being widened,? Mayor Jones said. ?This is why the Waterfront Task Force has been assembled.?

Tourism and Transport Minister and Chairman of the Waterfront Task Force, Ewart Brown confirmed the Task Force?s held its first meeting in July, but would not comment further.

?We have held our first meeting and it was a good one,? Dr. Brown said. ?I am thrilled by the vast array of talent at our disposal. We have divided ourselves into work groups to confront the various issues before we go into the important phase of public consultation.?