yesterday for the St. George's Harbour oil spill.

Around $5,700 will cover the clean-up costs following Wednesday's incident.

The maximum fine under The Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971 (Bermuda) Order 1980 is $100,000.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis yesterday accepted defence lawyer Mr.

Jerome Dill's plea for a minimal fine.

Mr. Dill had argued the spillage was small, the crew had cooperated with Police, and it was the liner's first such offence.

He also said there would be no long-term environmental damage.

In court yesterday were the ship's Norwegian master Captain Ole Johan Gronhaug, and chief engineer Mr. Tormod Isaksen.

They were dressed in uniform, and accompanied by a Marine Police officer.

Captain Gronhaug pleaded guilty to discharging oil or a mixture containing oil into the territorial waters of Bermuda, contrary to section 2 (1) (A) of the act.

Ms Deborah Blakeney, prosecuting, said Marine Police went to the liner's berth, Penno's Wharf, at 8.10 a.m. following a report of an oil slick.

They found an oil sheen 500 yards long and two feet wide, and samples were taken away for analysis.

There was an east northeast wind blowing at between 15 and 20 knots, said Ms Blakeney.

She added Marine Police later boarded the Nordic Prince at Number Six dock, Hamilton, and interviewed the captain.

"Various samples were taken from the salt water ballast tank, which was contaminated with heavy sludge-type oil.'' When questioned, the ship's master said: "I cannot deny the facts.'' Ms Blakeney said no long-term environmental damage was envisaged. The clean-up costs came to $5,716.78.

Mr. Dill said: "The defendant greatly regrets that this incident has occurred.

"It is obvious to the defendant no oil spill is a minor matter -- it's always a very serious matter.'' But Mr. Dill stressed: "In the overall scheme of things this was a baby slick as opposed to a major slick.'' He added: "It is clearly not the defendant's intention to waste the court's time by contesting the matter.

"The defendant is also offering to pick up the clean-up bill in full.'' Mr. Dill referred to two previous, and more serious, oil slick cases involving ships in Bermuda.

In 1976 the Statendam was fined $15,000 after being tried over a three to four mile slick.

And in 1981 the Veendam was fined $40,000 over a slick -- but the sentence was slashed on appeal.

Afterwards Mr. Dill yesterday: "We are very happy with the outcome.

"The captain and the cruise liner recognise the responsibility they have to Bermuda by offering to pay for the clean-up.'' Mr. Dill said he did not know the cause of the slick. No explanation was given in court.

Neither Captain Gronhaug nor Mr. Isaksen wished to comment on the case. The liner later left Bermuda.