Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources urges all boaters to begin to make necessary preparations for an impending storm.
The DPNR advises boaters to use the three-point mooring systems found in the “Survive a Hurricane” booklet, available at VITEMA.
BOAT SAFE HAVENS
ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN DISTRICT:
• Benner Bay, Mandahl Pond, Flamingo Bay
• Hurricane Hole is under the Jurisdiction of the National Park Service, boaters must coordinate with the NPS on St. John for assigned mooring location, contact the Chief Ranger of Protection.
ST. CROIX DISTRICT:
• Salt-River
1. Initial entry into the havens will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Enforcement officers will be available to assist boaters in maintaining an
organized entry and site location for vessels or to resolve difficult situations.
2. Boaters will return to regular moorings once new bulletin is issued:
However:
o Hurricane anchors can remain for the entire Hurricane season.
o Vessels leaving anchors in the haven will use one mooring ball attached to hurricane anchor line marked with vessels registration number.
o During additional storms, vessels may return to their initial location marked by mooring ball displaying vessels registration number.
o Vessels may not anchor in or obstruct navigational channels in Benner Bay or Salt-River.
o NO vessels are allowed at Krause Lagoon or it’s channel, on St. Croix. This area is designated a Homeland Security Zone.
3. BOATERS SHOULD NOT REMAIN ON-BOARD THEIR VESSELS DURING A STORM. LAND BASED SHELTERS ARE AVAILABLE, CONTACT VITEMA.
4. After the hurricane season is “deemed over”, all hurricane anchors and gear must be removed.
5. Securing vessels to nearby trees will be done ONLY when necessary and
by utilizing proper chaffing material on all lines. Lines must be removed immediately after the storm.
6. Communication to boaters will be via press release or V.I. Radio on Marine channel 16.
7. After the Storm, owners of vessels which have sunk or washed ashore, MUST notify the Department of Planning and Natural Resources with the vessels location (GPS) and an estimated time when the owner will salvage his/her vessel. Vessel owners are responsible for removing wrecked vessels.
