VI has over 150 derelict vessels post hurricanes Irma & Maria, Remove or else!
The issue of derelict vessels left abandoned after the power winds of the hurricanes pushed them around like toys, in mangroves, on land, on road ways, on cays and shores, in residents' yards, close to homes, businesses and even on government property, is the new challenge for the Territory.
According to the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry and Receiver of Wrecks, Acting Director Captain Raman Bala, there are over 150 abandoned vessels, which include powerboats, yachts, barges and other small crafts scattered all over the VI.
The boats and other vessels are unsightly around the islands and need to be removed by owners, according to Mr Bala.
Mr Bala told our newsroom that, in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act of 2001, the crown “can sell the abandoned vessels.”
In a press statement from the Government Information Services (GIS), he singled out three abandoned vessels that the Government has the name of the owners and urged them to come forward and address the removal.
Three of the culprits are:
Name Official number Flag Owner on record
NAVI GATED SSR118748 UK Messrs Tony and Kate Brunn
RENDEZVOUS SSR152364 UK Mr Geoff Day
FRUGALLY 745568 BVI Ms Claudia Rosana Riva
Captain Bala told GIS, “We are urging owners to claim their vessels with the Receiver of Wrecks as soon as possible and in any case before December, 19 2018 and to state their intentions for its recovery.”
It is unclear if there are over 150 abandoned and derelict vessels why those three were made public, however, it was stated in the press release issued yesterday December 3, 2018 “that the Registry has made several attempts to contact the vessels’ owners but to no avail.”
Environment at stake too
Abandoned vessels around the islands can also cause environmental damage with leaking oil into the sea water and ghuts.
The government is urging owners of derelict boats and other sea craft to contact the VI Shipping Registry and Receiver of Wrecks, located on the, 2nd Floor of the Ritter House, Wickham’s Cay II in Road Town, Tortola.
Persons can also contact the Receiver of Wrecks via telephone at (284) 468-468-9499 or via email at bvishipregister@gmail.com, government spokeswoman Bria Smith stated.
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20 Responses to “VI has over 150 derelict vessels post hurricanes Irma & Maria, Remove or else!”
I bet people who live away are finding problems with accommodations and electricity to move boats. Get a generator and crane and do it!!
My experience is that:
1) the owners of wrecked/sunk/grounded uninsured vessels NEVER take responsibility for their vessels
2)Nearly all wrecked/sunk/grounded uninsured vessels after a hurricane are worthless.
3)The vessel owner maintains ownership of his/her insured wrecked vessels after the damage claim is settled regardless of the type of loss; i.e. partial loss, total loss or constructive total loss(CTL).
4)In rare circumstances the insurance company will mitigate their loss by requesting ownership of a fairly new damaged/wrecked vessel IF they are advised and capable of selling it in the marketplace.
Boats still there . Time for jail time . Why should any individual be free to trash our country ?