NPS Opens Storm Refuge Permitting for Hurricane Hole

Hurricane Hole is sheltered by mangroves.

Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument announce procedures for mariners wishing to register their vessel in Hurricane Hole for the 2019 hurricane season.

Vessel owners who were permitted to use a storm mooring in Hurricane Hole during 2018 and who wish to retain their storm mooring berth for the 2019 season must complete an application to renew the berth for 2019. Applications may be downloaded at the monument web page (www.nps.gov/vicr) or picked up at the National Park Service (NPS) Visitor Center in Cruz Bay.

Contact Esther Francis (esther_francis@nps.gov or 776-6201, ext. 247) with any questions regarding a 2019 application.

Completed applications may be sent via e-mail, U.S. Mail or delivered in person at the park visitor center between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and must be received by the park by May 17. Applications may be mailed to Virgin Islands National Park, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St John, VI 00830. The NPS will issue a new permit upon receipt of the application and verification of the 2018 berth assignment.

A drawing will be held for all open berths beginning at 9 a.m., June 1, at the pavilion in front of the NPS Visitor Center in Cruz Bay.

Vessel owners who was issued temporary permits last year may contact Esther Francis if interested in retaining the storm mooring berth for which they were issued the temporary permit in the event that the original permittee decides to relinquish the berth for another year. Should the original permittee elect to utilize that berth this year, the temporary permit holder would need to participate in the June 1 drawing to compete for open berths.

Note that if a vessel was sold or transferred during the past year, it is the vessel that retains the storm mooring berth and not the past owner.

Contact Esther Francis at 776-6201, ext. 247 if there are any questions. www.nps.gov