Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

5 more derelict vessels identified for removal @SCB Harbour

- 31 vessels already removed
Five additional derelict vessels have been identified while the Derelict Vessels Removal and Disposal Project is ongoing. Photo: RDA
A total of 33 derelict vessels will be removed from the Sea Cows Bay Harbour under the Derelict Vessels Removal and Disposal Project. Photo: RDA
A total of 33 derelict vessels will be removed from the Sea Cows Bay Harbour under the Derelict Vessels Removal and Disposal Project. Photo: RDA
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Five additional derelict vessels have been identified while the Derelict Vessels Removal and Disposal Project is ongoing.

In a January 26, 2026, update, the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) said the project is “progressing beyond the initial scope”. 

Twenty-eight vessels were originally identified for removal; the additional five bring the total of derelict vessels for removal to thirty-three. 

Work to remove the vessels from the Sea Cows Bay Harbour began in early December 2025.

The Derelict Vessels Removal and Disposal Project is a joint venture of Sandwise Ltd. and Commercial Dive Services Ltd., who were awarded the contract valued at US$854,633.43. 

31 of 33 vessels removed 

As of the update, thirty-one of those vessels have been extracted. 

The RDA said this marks “significant progress in advancing the project and addressing long-standing navigational, environmental, and aesthetic concerns within the Territory’s marine spaces”.

“This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment to protecting our marine environment while creating safer, more functional public harbours for the Virgin Islands,” it continued. 

The removal process involves extracting the vessels from the harbour, transporting them to the loading site in Sea Cows Bay, and breaking them down into distinct waste streams at a designated staging site at Pockwood Pond. The materials are being separated into metal, plastics, wood, and fibreglass. 

The RDA said it will provide further updates as the Derelict Vessels Removal and Disposal Project continues.

13 Responses to “5 more derelict vessels identified for removal @SCB Harbour”

  • Wellsah (27/01/2026, 08:24) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    yayyy for 5 more discovered, hire a drone man and a dive man to find the rest
  • one eye (27/01/2026, 08:33) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is good news
  • Congratulation (27/01/2026, 10:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Job well don. Now, USVI what is your excuse!
  • GOOD GOOD (27/01/2026, 10:32) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is great news.

    With that being said, I am seeing a rise in derelict vehicles being dropped on the roadside throughout Tortola. Two more near Rudy's / laundromat / Meyers. Another heading down into Cane Garden Bay on the left side road. That one I watched the Asian man remove the license plates of a broken down vehicle and it has been there for several weeks now. He is not coming back. I did take a photo of him and will report him to police and give them the photos if the vehicle is not removed in a few more days.
  • the bay (27/01/2026, 10:42) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now we are hoping for better roads going through sea cows bay and for Rajah to remove his trucks from alongside the main road it’s an eye sore to look at !!!!
  • Fraser jammin...Delivering the goods (27/01/2026, 10:49) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Give Jack his jacket
  • fishy (27/01/2026, 11:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is good but where them putting all them boats ?
  • hog city (27/01/2026, 12:28) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    WITH WILLOCK WE WIN
  • What's old is new again (27/01/2026, 14:12) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Take a look at the second photo. The Marina is looking lovely and lively, let's do the same for the horse track and horse racing in the BVI.
  • SCB (27/01/2026, 14:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice what is the increase in cost be now let’s hear about that
    • LOL (28/01/2026, 06:33) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      SCB,I hope that there is no increase. You are correct to ask that question because the way VINO put the headline,it would that the removal of those five boats are at an additional cost.
      My understanding is that the contract is to remove "EVERY SINGLE DERELICT BOAT/ VESSEL" in the Sea Cows Bay Harbour
  • Gru (27/01/2026, 18:16) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    It makes me angry that these boats were in the water for 8 years they don’t care for human life.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.