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Willy T hoping to open this weekend; still dealing with bureaucracy

Ewan C. Anderson, Manager of Willy T said he is hoping to sail to his new Peter Island location tomorrow June 1, 2018, and has plans to open up this weekend but could not confirm as he is still dealing with government bureaucracy. Photo: Team of Reporters
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) left, told Ewan C. Anderson (right), Manager of Willy T that he had to find another location because the owners of Norman Island did not want Willy T there because of a proposed new Development on the island. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) left, told Ewan C. Anderson (right), Manager of Willy T that he had to find another location because the owners of Norman Island did not want Willy T there because of a proposed new Development on the island. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - It was the pressure of the public, civil society and the media that forced the National Democratic Party (NDP) regime to hold a meeting on May 14, 2018 with the owners of the famous William Thornton aka ‘Willy T’, a floating restaurant and bar, owned by Mrs Heather L. Anderson, a belonger of the Virgin Islands while her husband Ewan C. Anderson manages the business.

The NDP administration had chased Willy T out of the spot near Norman Island they had occupied for some 34 years. Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), had instructed the Trade and Consumer Affairs Department to write to Willy T demanding that they “cease and desist from operating at Norman Island".

Dr Smith tenuous relationship with the truth

Premier Smith claimed that he had two reasons. Firstly, because there were environmental issues and that was why Willy T was not wanted, secondly, Dr Smith claimed they did not have a mooring license, and the last one had expired. Both turn out to be misinformation and untruth.

In fact, Conservations and Fisheries Department confirmed that all the environmental issues were addressed almost two years ago. The new boat has a sewerage pump out station.

The owners of Willy T produced a copy of a mooring license renewal that will expire in 2019 with the National Parks Trust. Our newsroom published a copy of the receipt.

We later found out that the real reason was, the owners of Norman Island did not want Willy T there because of a proposed new Development on the island.

Fingers cross for this weekend

In a follow-up today Thursday, May 31, 2018, with Willy T Manager Mr Anderson said he is “still in Town”, however, he is hoping to sail to his new Peter Island location tomorrow June 1, 2018, and has plans to open up this weekend.

He said he is still dealing with government bureaucracy and have “obtained some items including his liquor license”.

Mr Anderson said he was hopeful to open over the upcoming weekend but “still could not confirm”.

12 Responses to “Willy T hoping to open this weekend; still dealing with bureaucracy”

  • NICK (31/05/2018, 14:47) Like (34) Dislike (3) Reply
    absolutely nothing is done in this country to get tourism back.
  • londoner (31/05/2018, 15:06) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Maybe if he can't get to PI this weekend, he should just open up in town. It could be like a second Tattershall Castle.
  • mary j (31/05/2018, 16:37) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ndp for the rich the poor man suck salt
  • EL CHACHO (31/05/2018, 17:15) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please educate us, is it true that they can own the island but not the ocean. I thought it was not legal to privatizes the beach or de coast. I thought it was only the land.
  • ... (31/05/2018, 18:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok lets get the bar open
  • Que? (31/05/2018, 18:24) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    What happens when the owners of Peter Island say the same thing? Can the owner of Norman stop boats mooring there now? Oil Nut Bay controls their shoreline too. Where does this end?
    Why did it even begin?
  • My Take (31/05/2018, 18:28) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Personally, I think that ALL persons with interests in property around the bay should have been invited to sit at the table and have discussion BEFORE this boat is allowed to moor at Peter Island. It is bad enough that a ban was placed on fishing around the Harbor Bay at Peter Island by the Conservation & Fisheries Department without the knowledge of the property owners.
    What starts wrong usually ends wrong. Lets' get it straight for once.
  • Local (01/06/2018, 09:39) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    With this government the poor will soon have to get a permit to come out their houses. People this NDP government will not change have anyone see a sign of it not me the hurricanes bring out the rest of their colors which is purple and black and that mean death to us . They destroy this place to please their rich friends .
  • Shady (01/06/2018, 13:23) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the premier will lie to the public just so for something that simple what won't he do?
    These guys are jokes need out of office in a rush!
  • yea (04/06/2018, 01:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How is Willie T able to operate at Great Harbour?

    In these areas the following activities are prohibited:
    * Anchorage for any vessel except in the event of a natural disaster, in case of an
    emergency or such other act of God would render the yacht or vessel un-seaworthy.
    * Any recreational activity (except snorkelling) except with the prior written permission of the Chief Conservation & Fisheries Officer.
    * Construct or erect, or cause to be built any building or structure on, over or under any waters in any fishing priority areas declared as such by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.
    Some Fishing Priority Areas include:
    (designated under the NPT’s Parks & Protected Areas Systems Plan)
    * Beef Island Creek
    * Benous Bay, Norman Island
    * Frenchman’s Cay, West End
    * Great Camano
    * Guana Island
    * The Bite, Great Harbour, Peter Island
    * The Bite, Norman Island


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