Here’s The Latest Update On The Territory’s Seaports And Airports

Virgin Islands Port Authority Acting Executive Director Damian Cartwright on Tuesday afternoon provided the following updates regarding the Port Authority’s seaports and airports, as the U.S. Virgin Islands 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 today, September 5, 2017 at 8 a.m. all USVI seaports are closed to all inbound commercial traffic unless authorized by the US Coast Guard’s Captain of the Port.

FERRY SERVICE

• There is no ferry service to the British Virgin Islands or St. Croix.  There is also no ferry service to St. John from the Charlotte Amalie Waterfront on St. Thomas.
• The last ferry from Cruz Bay, St. John to Red Hook, St. Thomas departs at 6 pm today.
• The last ferry from Red Hook to St. John departs at 7 pm.  There will be no ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John until further notice.

BARGE SERVICE

• The last barge leaving St. John to Red Hook, St. Thomas will depart at 4:30 p.m. today.
• The last barge leaving Red Hook to St. John departs at 5:30 pm. today.  There will be no barge service between St. Thomas and St. John until further notice.

AIRPORTS: 

AIRPORT TERMINALS

• Both the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix are open today.   The airport terminals on St. Thomas and St. Croix will be closed at 10 pm today, and will not be open tomorrow, September 6. 

INTER ISLAND AIR SERVICE

• Seaborne is not operating its seaplane service, but will continue its airport service between St.  Thomas and St. Croix until 3:30 pm today. 
• Sea Flight and Cape Air have canceled all flights today, and until Thursday, September 7.

MAJOR AIRLINES

• All flights from major airlines are arriving and departing as normal today, September 5– except for Spirit, which has canceled flights today and tomorrow.
• All major airlines have canceled flights to the USVI on Wednesday, September 6.
• Jet Blue has also cancelled morning arrival and departure for St. Thomas on Thursday, September 7.
• Travelers are urged to contact their airlines directly for flight information:
  • American Airlines: 1-800-433-7300
  • Cape Air: 1-800-352-0714
  • Delta Airlines: 1-800-221-1212
  • Jet Blue: 1-800-538-2583
  • Seaborne Airlines: 1-800-359-8687
  • Spirit Airlines: 1-800-772-7117
  • United Airlines: 1-800-864-8331
  • US Airways: 1-800-428-4322

VIPA EMPLOYEES: 

• VIPA employees should monitor local media for instructions to return to work for clean up after the storm and to assist with re-opening the ports.  Employees are reminded that they may use their work IDs as a pass if a curfew is implemented.

VIPA 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 Port Authority’s Facebook page for updates:www.facebook.com/usviports.