News Release

2022 Storm Refuge Permitting for Hurricane Hole

NPS Photo

News Release Date: March 30, 2022 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 2022 hurricane season.

Vessel owners who were permitted in 2021 to use a storm mooring in Hurricane Hole, and wish to retain their storm mooring berth for the 2022 season, must complete an application to renew their berth. Applications may be picked up at the NPS Visitor Center in Cruz Bay, St. John or emailed upon request. Please contact Ms. Esther Francis at e-mail us or 3340-201-4521 with any questions regarding the application process or to request an application. Please send completed applications via e-mail to e-mail us, U.S. Mail, or delivered in person at the park Visitor Center between 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applications to renew a berth must be received at the park by April 25, 2022. Applications may be mailed to: Virgin Islands National Park, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI 00830 attention Storm Permits. The NPS will issue a new permit for the same berth upon receipt of the completed application and verification of the 2021 berth assignment.

A virtual drawing will be held for all open berths on May 7, 2022, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Completed applications must be provided to the NPS by May 5, 2022. Applicants are advised to stand by to receive a phone call during the virtual drawing.

Any vessel owner who was issued a temporary permit last year and wishes to retain the berth this year must notify the NPS. If the original permit-holder does not renew their permit, the temporary permit-holder may renew the berth after the April 25 deadline. If the original permit-holder renews their permit, the temporary permit-holder may participate in the May 7 drawing to compete for open berths.

Note that if a vessel was sold or transferred during the past year, the new vessel owner must renew the storm berth from the previous year to retain the berth.

Please contact Ms. Esther Francis at 340-201-4521 should have any questions.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.

Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.