officer Eugene Ball took part in a five week course in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Ball of the Bermuda Fire Services left Bermuda on November 13 heading to the Fire Service Training College in Morton-In-Marsh in the UK.

While there he took a fire fighting course involving theory and practical training.

"There were 23 other fire fighters from all around the United Kingdom taking part in the programme,'' Mr. Ball said.

"During the course, we learned about different constructions of ships and what tactics should be employed in fire fighting.

"Stability is an important factor in fire fighting because of the amount of water that can be put into a ship through firefighters hose lines.'' He added: "There are three areas of stability to be concerned about when firefighters are aboard a ship. The first is Ship Listing which is caused by the shifting of the ships cargo. The second is Loll which happens when there is unrestricted movement of water or any large quantities of liquids aboard the ship. And the last is Hell which is caused when external forces such as wind, waves etc. impact upon the ship.'' Mr. Ball found this to be the most interesting part of the programme because, "when fighting fires you have to be constantly aware of how much water you're putting in the ship''.

He also practised fire fighting exercises on board a simulated ship built of concrete.

One of the exercises consisted of pretending the ship was at sea causing the firefighters to act out actual duties they would have in responding to such an incident.

"All the men and equipment used in the exercise were taken on board the ship by helicopter which was provided by the British Royal Navy.

"The navy also supplied two pilots, one of which was a pilot in training who also benefited from the exercise.

"We were winched down to the ship from the helicopter. The exercise made you aware of the importance of having the equipment available and ready to deal with ship fires out at sea.'' Mr. Ball added that everyone had to know the weight of the equipment because the helicopter could only carry so much weight and personnel.

"The most important aspect of fire fighting at sea is having the equipment and the manpower available to deal with fires, floodings or sinking ships.

"Fighting ship fires during the winter months can be very dangerous because of rough and unpredictable weather and also the transferring of men and equipment aboard the ship.

"It is important to have available personnel who are not likely to get sea sick.'' Mr. Ball also did sea survival training where he learned to jump into frigid waters wearing a wet suit.

"It's always a possibility that the ship could sink so we have to be prepared and know certain techniques to aid in personal survival.

Mr. Ball also visited Royal Naval ships to see what they were like inside.

"Royal Naval ships are very congested and dangerous because plans of the ship are not what they look like inside and weapons they carry are also hazardous.

While in the UK Mr. Ball also went on a detachment for two weeks to the Merseyside fire brigade in Liverpool.

There he looked at all types of ships, ports and equipment. "It gave me a lot of ideas on how to consolidate our equipment for ship fire fighting and also with a view of purchasing state of the art equipment so we are able to fight ship fires more efficiently.

"This programme has better qualified me for my present responsibilities.'' Mr. Eugene Ball.