Owners of derelict vessels in SCB Harbour given 60 days for their removal
It seems, however, that finally something is being done to rid the community of the eyesore.
Published in the Official Gazette on May 1, 2025, owners of vessels partially sunk in the Sea Cows Bay area and deemed a hazard were told to remove the vessels within two months or they would be disposed of.
“The owner(s) must raise and remove the vessels from the location within 60 days of the publication of notice in the BVI Gazette.
“Failure to comply with this notice will result in the Receiver taking possession of the vessel and disposing of the vessel in accordance with section 33B of the Disaster Management Act,” according to the wording in the Official Gazette.
‘It’s really beyond horrible looking’- Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE
It was in April 2024, that the then Deputy Speaker and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) had expressed frustration that nearly 7 years since hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the VI, hundreds of destroyed vessels remained in the harbours across the territory.
Speaking at the Continuation of the Ninth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on April 9, 2024, Hon Smith further disclosed that the issue was not about finance, as the money is there, but bureaucracy was the main obstacle.
While commending Nanny Cay Resort and Marina for salvaging two boats from the Sea Cows Bay Harbour, Hon Smith said such projects have to go through a process that is likely to involve the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry and that a Request for Proposal (RFP) needs to be prepared.
Hon Smith; however, could not say who had to prepare the RFP and why this was not yet done.
“The hurricanes were 2017 and you look down everywhere, in front of Village Cay, go right around to Nanny Cay, you go up to East End, all over, and the place is a mess. It’s really beyond horrible looking. We have to fix this country and whoever has to prepare this Request for Proposal, whether it is the Ministry of Finance, or whoever, we have to get it done,” Hon Smith had said.
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20 Responses to “Owners of derelict vessels in SCB Harbour given 60 days for their removal”
looking Sea Cows Bay.
These boats were not insured, otherwise as part of the insurance payout, the insurance would be obligated to pay for salvage.
Receiver or wrecks took possession of these vessels years ago.
This is once again crying wolf. R d a put this out to tender 4 times now and never anything happens..
They don't need 60 days, notice was given years ago. Need to dispose of them now before hurricane season comes in..
Most of these boats were trampers. They came to the BVI for vacation or long terms live aboard. As one person commented above: Put a tender out for removal. Who want to remove will pay for salvaging them. Nanny Cay had generously offered to remove them at no expense to Govt. They were stopped due to a “ technicality. Why refuse help if we can’t do better. I see the tour busses stopping SCB all the time for tourists to take photos of “Nature’s dirty little secrets”. Speaking of which: who had the stupid idea to cut the bushes that so nicely were hiding the ruins of Prospect Reef?