A tanker will today `run aground' off the coast of Bermuda and start to spew its load of oil towards the coastline.

Within minutes of the `disaster' officials from Government departments and other agencies will be heading toward the spill site in a desperate bid to halt the impending oil slick.

A spill could spell environmental catastrophe to the Island's delicate coral reef and marine life, but residents can rest easy as the whole event is merely an exercise to see how the Island would cope with a big spill.

A Government spokeswoman stressed: "This is not a real oil spill. It is an exercise. There should be no cause for alarm.'' Funded by Esso to the tune of $500,000, Exercise Weatherbird starts today and finishes with a dramatic fly past by a Hercules aircraft dropping `detergent' on the slick.

The simulation is intended to demonstrate Bermuda's ability to deal with an oil spill and how various agencies and personnel will coordinate the response.

It will also involve overseas organisations and the Clean Caribbean Cooperative -- a group of companies who support immediate oil spill response resources.

For the purpose of the operation the vessel featured is the Vroon with an Exxon cargo aboard. Coincidentally the Vroon is at Bermuda during the exercise.

Starting at Harbour Radio, the operation will move to the threatened beaches, where emergency staff will begin protecting the shoreline with booms.

The Government spokeswoman noted: "Although all efforts have been taken to make sure that the exercise does not interfere with regular activities on the Island, theinvolvement of a large number of participants may mean aditional traffic in certain areas at the east end today.'' Tomorrow the exercise will move indoors and will conclude on Thursday with a series of fly pasts by a Hercules that will drop detergent on the water at Ordnance Island.

GOVERNMENT GVT