Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith has objected to plans for the new cruise ship terminal at Dockyard, saying an underwater "obstruction" has proved to be a "historic wreck".

In a letter to the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, Dame Jennifer says although she does not wish to "impede" a development "in the national interest", the berth will lie directly above the shipwreck. As board chairman of the Historical Wrecks Authority, she insists developers carry out an archaeological survey. Plans for Phase One of the New Cruise Ship Pier are currently under review by the Planning Department, Submitted by Andrew Dias of Sandys, they will enable Panamax and Post-Panamax size megaships to berth at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Construction requires stabilising 300 circular steel piles into the seabed in a year-long operation. But test piling has already started in order to calculate the building materials needed and to monitor noise levels through the water - so as not to harm the dolphins at Dolphin Quest.

Dolphins' auditory senses are 100 times more sensitive than humans', and marine mammal experts say construction noise can lead to "immediate behavioural changes". This not only has the potential to disturb feeding patterns but could threaten the survival of the three newborn calves.

In an Environmental Impact Statement, they recommend a 'temporary sound attenuation structure' ¿ a boulder breakwater consisting of a16ft wide, 4ft high baffle of pitch pine wood and 4in styrofoam, in order to reduce noise levels.

This was one of several technical reports obtained by agents EnTech for the Environmental Impact Statement, submitted August 16.

Also of concern to marine scientists is the impact of the pile driving and subsequent movement of cruise ships on local marine ecology.

"The nearshore waters contain numerous coral reefs, seagrasses, local fishes and other marine life," says a report.

"In proximity to the new pier the nearest corals are located some 500 yards to the east and south of the development site. However, as is presently the case, all vessels make their approach to the Dockyard winding through either the North or South channels through an intricate reef system. In most instances the reef systems come within tens of yards of the ship's passage."

Although the berth, pier and visitor terminal have been deemed of 'national importance' by Government, former Premier Dame Jennifer says they could wipe out significant maritime treasures.

In a letter to the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, she says: "We believe that the actual construction of the terminal and parking area will bury historic artefacts, although it may not damage them.

"Of concern is the plan to dredge an area of the seafloor below the projected berth of the cruise ship. The Custodian has surveyed this area and discovered that what has been termed an obstruction is in fact an historic wreck."

The discovered iron vessel is 65ft long and 19ft wide, and encrusted with hard corals. Dame Jennifer says it "could be one of the original tugs used to build the (nineteenth century) Dockyard".

"Thus an area scheduled for dredging is in fact the site of a Historic Wreck and will required a specific permit from the Historic Wrecks Authority," she writes.

The Government MP adds that dredging other areas of the seafloor will also have "a serious impact on any potential artefacts or shipwrecks that may lie on, or be hidden under, the seafloor substrate".

She points to the presence of remnants of Prison Hulks and The Woodside, a 200ft iron and wooden ship, which lies just 10ft from the surface.

"We note that the project (cruise ship pier) is being put forward as in the national interest and is functioning as if it is an SDO in principle. In order for us to meet the expectations of the Act in terms of our management of Bermuda's Underwater Heritage Assets, we recommend a condition that while not impeding the development will allow us to monitor the work and implement procedures to record shipwrecks and if required, rescue important artefacts exposed by either the work, or cruise ship movements," writes Dame Jennifer. She says the developer must conduct an archaeological survey.

"There are also implications for serious impact on significant parts of the reef platform adjacent to the north shipping channel that will need to be dredged and or destroyed in order to accommodate larger ships," she states.

"These reefs have not been surveyed and may contain historical wrecks. We would need greater consultation if there is a plan to remove part of this reef."

Yesterday Christine Rickards, assistant planning director, stressed the report was a draft and that officers are this week revising it in order to recommend additional testing.

"We're in the process of getting a final one together," she said. "The developers have already installed some mitigation measures to make sure the dolphins are safe, and they have some other test piling to do for their construction methods."