celebration of the new millennium.

Brian Billings, chairman of the Tall Ships 2000 committee, said he was encouraged by the amount of interest generated by the event.

Roughly 100 ships from around the world are expected to visit the Island next year starting in May.

This week Mr. Billings told an assembly of some 200 CedarBridge students of the opportunities to sail as crew aboard one of the scores of ships involved in the trans-Atlantic race.

He has already spoken at Saltus Grammar School, the Bermuda College, and the Bermuda High School for Girls, and hopes to present to Warwick Academy, Berkeley Institute and the Bermuda Institute by the end of April.

The committee kicked off its promotion campaign last December by sending letters to clubs and associations around the Island.

So far, 100 berths have been reserved for Bermuda, but Mr. Billings said the committee would make every effort to ensure as many locals as possible participate.

Aspiring sailors can sail on voyages to the Island from Spain, from Bermuda to the East Coast, along the East Coast, or from North America to Europe. No experience is necessary.

Lengths vary from four to five days, to two to three weeks, depending on ship size, weather conditions, and destination.

Berth assignments will be confirmed later this summer and anyone between 15 and 25 is welcome to submit an application letter.

There are some costs involved and participants are invited to contribute whatever possible.

But Mr. Billings added: "We will ensure that every young Bermudian no matter what their economic status will be able to do it, hopefully through private sponsorship.'' And he invited anyone unable or unwilling to participate in the ocean crossing to instead join a team of volunteers who will work with the thousands of visitors expected.

For further information please visit chief operations officer Carol Wills in Suite 305 of the International Centre on Bermudiana Road, Pembroke.

Or contact a representative at 296-4696.

There is also a website accessible at www.tallships2000.bm.