was launched.

And Deputy Opposition Leader Mr. Walter Roberts (PLP) said problems with the Government tender were probably caused by the sinking.

But Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall denied the sinking and said the boat had no major problems.

But he admitted the boat was being left out of the water without a crew until it was needed for ferry service or as a pleasure craft for hire.

Mr. Roberts said: "The Minister is gloating over a boat which was bought when it was not really needed.

"It is my understanding this particular boat, which has been put in mothballs as a tender, sank when it was launched in Europe.

"Their inspection was not thorough enough to find it had problems in the wiring -- probably because it sank. It has had a lot of electrical problems.'' Other Opposition MPs complained that Government had bought the boat only for it to be temporarily out of action until it was needed.

But Mr. Marshall said: "To say this boat sank and the wiring was ruined is just not so.

"I have been informed that it did not sink. There was water in the bilges when it was launched but not high enough to damage the wiring.

"Mr. Roberts has been given a little bit of information from someone without much knowledge. A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.'' But Mr. Roberts stood by his source, insiting the tender sank.

Mr. Marshall said: "Mr. Roberts should not say this about a boat that tourists are going to use. It is doing a disservice to Bermuda.

"If he heard about this he should have come and told me about it at the Ministry.''