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

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.