An apparent search by night of the waters near the Grotto Bay Beach Hotel most likely had a more innocent motive than some guests suspected, after they reported seeing what they took to be police engaged in a manhunt.

A check yesterday with police and Bermuda Maritime Operations produced no leads for what appeared to be authorities patrolling the waters of Castle Harbour around 1am yesterday.

Cautioning that it was only a speculative explanation, a Bermuda Maritime Operations spokesman said it may well have been a bait fishing expedition. “The western and eastern side of the Causeway in Castle Harbour has some pretty interesting inshore water,” he said.

“The tidal flow through Ferry Reach and out through Castle Harbour is strong under the Causeway — not as strong as in Flatts Inlet, but fairly powerful.”

The waters are deep and on occasion fishermen comb the area for garfish, also known as ballyhoo, which are popular bait for sports fishing. I suspect that's probably what they were looking at,” the spokesman said. “We didn't have any searches going on and nothing of note has been handed in as outstanding.”