A top Royal Navy officer yesterday apologised to Premier Pamela Gordon for the antics of four drunken sailors from a British warship.

The Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Peter Abbot, told Ms Gordon he was sorry to learn of the bad behaviour by the sailors last Sunday.

He said: "I was particularly grieved to hear that their actions brought about a bad ending to what had been a very successful visit.'' Sir Peter added: "I write to assure you of my concern that this incident is brought to a satisfactory conclusion so that the Royal Navy's reputation in Bermuda can be restored.'' And he said he had served for two "very happy'' years at the former HMS Malabar and understood the impact an incident of this nature would have on Bermuda.

Sir Peter also confirmed that he had personally ordered a Royal Navy lawyer, Lt. Cmdr. Bob Gray, to visit the Island. Lt. Cmdr. Gray was expected to arrive last night.

He added that Lt. Cmdr. Gray would liaise with the Police and other authorities so that liability can be established and, where appropriate, disciplinary action taken.

The move, reported in yesterday's edition of The Royal Gazette , was sparked off by four sailors -- one a woman -- who disgraced the service only a day after the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Two of the young sailors pushed over three bikes, poured oil on two cars and jumped on the roofs of two other vehicles while the others laughed and took photographs.

The London crew members were the only ones out of 1500 sailors from seven nations to get into trouble.

Their behaviour was condemned by the Premier and Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness.

The four were turned over to HMS London by Bermuda Police officers for punishment.

The incident happened shortly before the UK frigate was due to leave port, with the four already overdue from leave.

Two of the ratings now face massive fines for causing damage, being absent without leave and returning to the frigate drunk. The others are also expected to face charges.

Yesterday Ms Gordon accepted the Navy's apology with good grace.

She said: "I think it's wonderful -- I'm just hoping that they follow it through. I'm very pleased they took it as seriously as we did.

"And I hope that sailors will learn to behave themselves when they visit other people's countries.''