April 23, 2003 – Immediately following the implementation of the rules and regulations for the V.I. Coral Reef National Monument, effective May 5, all vessels presently anchored in Hurricane Hole must leave in order to comply with the no-anchoring restriction, according to a press release from the Virgin Islands National Park.
Park Superintendent John H. King makes the announcement to follow-up the previous press release concerning the use of Hurricane Hole as a safe haven for vessels in storm conditions for 2003.
In order to use Hurricane Hole as a storm refuge, vessel owners must wait until the first official storm warning of the season before moving any vessels there. Vessels will be allowed to move to Hurricane Hole 96 hours prior to a predicted landfall and must leave Hurricane Hole within 72 hours after the storm has passed.
Other restrictions concerning the use of the area as a safe haven during storms are in place, and boaters wishing to use Hurricane Hole should contact the National Park office.
Effective May 5, all ground tackle and anchors remaining in Hurricane Hole will be considered abandoned and will be removed by park divers and volunteers. Sand screws presently in place may be left but all surface markings will be removed.
For further information, please contact Rafe Boulon, chief of Resource Management, at 693-8950 ext. 224.
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