National Liberal Party.

Speaking after last week's oil spill at St. George's Harbour by the cruise liner Nordic Prince , party spokeswoman Ms. Cheryl Pooley said the ship was fined $8,500, compared to a possible maximum of $100,000.

"The party is alarmed that the judiciary has been consistently lenient with cruise ships which have broken the law,'' she said. "We urge magistrates to use the full extent of power provided when dealing with persons guilty of breaking laws that protect our environment.'' The NLP supported the need for cruise ships, but was aware of their impact on the environment through soot, reef damage, sewage and oil, she added.

"What sells Bermuda to our tourists are our crystal blue waters and clean pink beaches. Continual small oil spills over a period of decades could destroy our already fragile marine eco-system, to the detriment of not only our own environment, but also to our major income source -- tourism.

"We insist on having liners and agents that are responsible and who employ highly professional engineering staff and captains, who have not only the safety of patrons and crew as their priority, but also the protection of the environment.''