A floating book shop will sail into Hamilton carrying thousands of books - just over two years after its first controversial visit.

Logos II, a bookstore on a boat similar to a Barnes & Noble store, will dock in Hamilton for two weeks from February 20 to March 3. The boat offers 6,000 book titles covering a variety of categories from science, sports, the arts, medicine and Christian living. There is also a cafe on board where visitors can relax.

The last time the boat came to the Island, Chamber of Commerce boss, Diane Gordon, said while the Chamber supported its mission, it felt it was unfair to allow the ship to dock on Front Street and compete with retailers during the peak shopping period of the year.

The boat arrived on the Island on December 22 and stayed for two weeks. The crew was granted work permits which were requested by their sponsor, Cornerstone Bible Fellowship.

Yesterday, Pastor George Smith, owner of the Christian Bookstore, said the Logos II will still compete with local bookstores and suggested the Government tax it.

"If they have books that they underprice we can't meet it because of the cost that we incur. They sail around the world and buy at extremely low discounts and such large volumes.''

He continued: "I would say Bermuda ought to think about buying Bermuda. They ought to be taxed for doing business in Bermuda. Now that we see how they came last time, I think the Government should look at it a little bit differently. It's not like they are bringing in 200 or 300 books, it's a ship."

He also said Bermudian businesspeople cannot afford to lower prices on goods or buy in such a large volume like the ship can.

The bookstore itself provides a percentage of the income for the ship but primarily stays afloat with donations and pledges. Its mission statement is "Bringing Knowledge, Help and Hope" as it travels around the world.

Logos II was purchased in 1989 by Educational Book Exhibits Ltd (EBE), a private, non-profit, charitable organisation registered in the United Kingdon and is operated on behalf of EBE by Gute Bucher fur Alle (Good Books for All), a second private, non-profit, charitable organisation registered in Germany.

The ship 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.

More than 10 million visitors were welcomed on board for tours, programmes and visits to the floating bookshop. With stops in 338 ports of call, this unique ship visited 82 countries, including Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Near East and many island nations.