sea.

Premier David Saul has asked the British government for "further help and guidance'' with the asbestos problem.

A Government spokesman said: "As a consequence, the option of deep-ocean disposal has been deferred.'' The news was last night hailed as a victory by campaigners from Greenpeace, who mounted a campaign here and in the US to protest against the dumping plan.

US-based Greenpeace spokesman Kenny Bruno said last night: "We very pleased -- we wish it was a final decision, but I'm optimistic Government will do the right thing.'' But he added: "I will continue monitoring this from the US and I'm prepared to come back if necessary.

"We are not going to disappear -- it's too early for that and we want to help find a better solution.'' And he warned: "If Bermuda goes back to the ocean dumping plan we have to resume the campaign, but I am looking at this decision positively.'' The Government's move came as members of the Bermuda Industrial Union's marine and ports division said they would refuse to handle the lethal cargo which Government planned to 18 miles offshore.

The move to boycott the cargo was backed by the union executive.

And Union assistant general secretary Calvin Smith issued a rallying cry to mobilise public opinion against sea dumping.

The BIU move came amid fears over the health of workers handling the deadly dust and the long-term safety of the disposal -- as well as worries over possible action by Greenpeace activists putting workers' safety at risk.

Mr. Smith said: "We believe that the dumping of such hazardous waste into our precious ocean will pose a threat, not only to all residents, citizens and guests, but that Dumping deferred the threat will extend to unborn generations.

"Even if we could be convinced that the dumping of asbestos into the ocean would not endanger the lives of present and future generations, we would remain unconvinced that the Bermuda Government could protect our workers from the possibility of attack from groups who are not likely ever to be so persuaded.'' There are 165 containers of asbestos awaiting disposal. Even more is believed to be in buildings on the disused US Navy Air Station at St. David's. Dust from asbestos causes some types of cancer.

Government is considering dumping the waste 18 miles offshore at the old Navy munitions dump.

Ministers say the move would be legal and that asbestos would be inert in the ocean and would not affect the marine environment -- a claim disputed by some scientists.

Greenpeace is pledged to non-violent protests, but techniques used to protest dumping at sea -- such as the use of small high-speed boats buzzing cargo ships -- are hazardous.

Mr. Smith said: "We wish to make it clear that we do not share the belief that worthy goals may be pursued by violence and condemn any group that has such an ideology.

"However, we do not believe that our workers should uphold this principle by exposing themselves to injury or possibly death through the execution of this highly questionable decision by the Government of Bermuda.'' Greenpeace activists have already stepped up the pressure on Government, staging protests outside the Bermuda Department of Tourism offices in New York City and Boston.

Tourism Minister David Dodwell -- who on Wednesday condemned the tourist office pickets as the first shots in a "trade war'' against Bermuda -- is also responsible for Marine and Ports.

Mr. Dodwell said: "It's too premature to talk about this kind of boycott before a decision has been reached. And there is always the option to go out to the private sector and see if they will do it.'' The BIU move was welcomed by Mr. Bruno who said a combination of Greenpeace action, the BIU decision and growing public opposition had won the day.

But he stressed that Greenpeace is dedicated to non-violent action.

Mr. Bruno added: "We appreciate the BIU's position very much -- it's very significant.

"We are dedicated to non-violence -- but we agree there could be potential danger from this project, not so much to BIU members, but to ourselves.''