News that Jean Michel Cousteau's operation is being considered for Daniel's Head has sparked controversy in the Island's boating community.

Barefoot Cruises' owner Doug Shirley told The Royal Gazette that the Chamber of Commerce's tour boat committee sent in a letter of protest against the scheme when it first heard about it.

"The general view is that the son of Jacques Cousteau is riding the family name. It's another franchise, that's all it is.'' But the main contention among tour operators, he continued, was that "there are too many operators in business at the moment -- there's no need for any more operators.'' Tourism Minister David Dodwell first leaked the news that the department had been approached by a representative of the organisation in an interview with The Royal Gazette last October.

Yesterday the Base Lands Development Committee announced it was looking at the operation as a possible tenant for Daniel's Head.

Pitman's Boat Tours' owner Joffre Pitman said when operators heard that Mr.

Cousteau's operation was being looked at "there was a feeling of collective dismay -- very few people felt any enthusiasm.'' He said the operation was a concession which would only take money out of Bermuda and would not add anything to the Island.

Mr. Pitman added that the Cousteau operation would be a detriment "to the overtaxed operations already on the water.'' "The presence of a concession using that name will deprive established and good tours of enough market share to ensure their future existence and this will deprive clients.'' He said the Cousteau operation was dedicated to quantity, not quality like local operators were.

Mr. Shirley described it as "high-volume, kind of like a Walmart on the seas'' which would cater to the "cattle cruise market.'' "It has not got anything associated to high quality,'' he said.

Mr. Pitman said: "This will not add to the quality of the Bermudian experience. It is of the same or of lower quality as operations already available here.'' If it would benefit Bermuda and its clientele then he would say "go for it'', continued Mr. Pitman, "but I don't see it as being beneficial.'' Mr. Shirley said the committee "was hotly against anyone from the outside coming in with more competition.'' He added: "At the height of the season many boats are running around half full.'' Mr. Shirley said the department told the chamber the operation would work along with local operators.

But this was not going to be the case if they were going to be setting up shop at Daniel's Head, he continued.

Mr. Pitman noted that "if it is felt that a dive operation should be set up at Daniel's Head then I feel we have plenty of established and experienced dive operators who could be sounded out to see if they have any interest.''