Date: March 31, 2017
Contact: Thomas Kelley, 340-693-8950 x 225
Contact: Esther Francis, 340-693-8950 x 232
Virgin Islands National Park – Public Notice
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ANNOUNCES
2017 STORM REFUGE PERMITTING PROCEDURES FOR HURRICANE HOLE
ST. JOHN, USVI -- Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument announce procedures for mariners wishing to register their vessel in Hurricane Hole for the 2017 hurricane season.
Vessel owners who were permitted to use a storm mooring in Hurricane Hole during 2016 and who wish to retain their storm mooring berth for the 2017 season may contact Esther Francis (e-mail us, (340) 693-8950, ext. 232) to obtain a 2017 application. Completed applications may be sent via e-mail, U.S. Mail, or delivered in person at the park visitor center between 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and must be received by the park by May 19, 2017. Applications may be mailed to Virgin Islands National Park, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St John, VI 00830. The NPS will issue a new permit upon receipt of the application and verification of the 2016 berth assignment.
A drawing will be held for all open berths on June 3rd, 2017, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the pavilion in front of the NPS Visitor Center in Cruz Bay.
Any vessel owner who was issued a temporary permit last year may contact Ms. Francis if interested in retaining the storm mooring berth for which they were issued the temporary permit, in the event that the original permittee decides to relinquish the berth for another year. Should the original permittee elect to utilize that berth this year, the temporary permit holder would need to participate in the June 3rd drawing to compete for open berths.
Note that if a vessel was sold or transferred during the past year, it is the vessel which retains the storm mooring berth and not the past owner.
Please contact Ms. Esther Francis at (340) 693-8950, ext. 232 should you have any questions.
