Port Authority Provides Status Update On Seaports And Airports Territory-Wide

Virgin Islands Port Authority Acting Executive Director Damian Cartwright on Monday afternoon provided the following updates regarding the V.I.P.A.’s air and seaports as the territory readies for Hurricane Irma:

Seaports:

During a storm, the US Coast Guard (USCG) determines the condition of the USVI’s seaports, and is the only agency with the authority to close and re-open the seaports.  As of tomorrow, September 5, 2017 at 8 a.m. the USCG has determined that all USVI seaports will move to CONDITION YANKEE.  This means that all seaports will be closed to incoming commercial vessels.

Ferry Service between Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas and Tortola BVI

• Smith Ferry’s last departure today will be at 3:30 p.m.
• CME Fast Ferry’s last departure today will be at 4:15 p.m.

There will be no further departures from downtown Charlotte Amalie to Tortola until the ports have been reopened by the USCG.

Ferry Service between Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas and St. Croix, USVI

• The ferry service between St. Thomas and St. Croix is not operating.

Ferry Service between Urman Fredericks Marine Terminal, Red Hook and Tortola, BVI

• Interisland Boat Services’ last departure today will be at 4:30 p.m.
• Native Son’s last departure today will be at 5:00 p.m.

There will be no further departures from Red Hook to Tortola until the ports have been reopened by the USCG.

Ferry Service between UVF Terminal Red Hook, St. Thomas to St. John, USVI

• As per Beth Newton of the Coast Guard, ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John will continue even after port condition YANKEE is implemented tomorrow.  The USCG will continue to monitor the weather conditions and will discontinue ferry service between St. Thomas and St John as the weather becomes more dangerous.

Airports:

• Both the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix are open today.  VIPA will announce any changes in operations at the airports.
• Spirit’s St. Thomas flights NK201 and NK212 for Wednesday, September 6th have been cancelled due to the storm.
• Travelers are urged to contact their airlines directly for flight information.

V.I.P.A. Employees

• All Port Authority employees are considered essential in the event of a storm.  Employees are required to report to work at their regularly scheduled posts today and tomorrow to prepare the facilities for the arrival of the storm.  VIPA employees may use their work IDs as a pass if a curfew is implemented.

VIPA says it will continue to update the public regarding the status of its ports as information is received. The authority encourages the community to prepare for the storm, secure their property and to monitor the local news and the authority’s Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/usviports.