RDA receives tenders for removal of derelict vessels from SCB Harbour
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In a Facebook post on Monday, August 11, 2025, the RDA stated that each submitted proposal will be carefully evaluated to ensure that a contract is awarded to the most qualified bidder.
The presence of numerous abandoned and derelict vessels has marred the Sea Cows Bay Harbour for nearly eight years since the devastating impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
The aftermath of these storms caused significant destruction throughout the Virgin Islands, leaving hundreds of vessels in disrepair; some appear as rust buckets that disrupt the harbour's natural beauty and functionality.
"In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, the RDA is dedicated to restoring the harbour’s safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal by removing the abandoned vessels that have long affected the area.
"Thank you to everyone who submitted tenders. Stay tuned for updates!" the RDA stated in the same Facebook post.
It was in May 2025 that owners of derelict vessels in SCB Harbour were given 60 days to remove them, with failure to do so resulting in the vessels being disposed of.
Environmental & navigational hazards
Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), who was then the Deputy Speaker and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, expressed her deep frustration over the persistent presence of these vessels on April 9, 2024.
During a session of the House of Assembly, she emphasised that even though nearly seven years had passed since the hurricanes struck, many derelict boats continued to linger in the harbours, creating both environmental and navigational hazards.
She pointed out that the core issue was not a lack of funding—resources were available—but rather the bureaucratic red tape that was hindering timely action.
Honourable Smith had also praised the efforts of Nanny Cay Resort and Marina for successfully salvaging two boats from the Sea Cows Bay Harbour.
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9 Responses to “RDA receives tenders for removal of derelict vessels from SCB Harbour”
The Government complex was built in 3 years and still not complete.
DDM has not been rebuilt and is just an empty shell with no work going on.
Its 8 years now and nothing has been fixed and the government is renting buildings all over the island until the work is complete. This need a major investigatioin into why were just throwing away money and nothing is ever fixes. The Roads, Electricity, Sewage, Water all in a state of disrepair.
Please can someone just finish off these projects before the next hurricane.