Oct 18, 2008 — Magens Bay is temporarily closed for swimming, Hubert Brumant, Magens general manger said Saturday morning. The beach, however is open with no charge, he said, but "don't go in the water."
Though the St. Thomas infrastructure suffered little damage in Hurricane Omar, it did affect the famous beach. Brumant said the three guts at the beach broke their banks Thursday morning. "Water that has been circulating in there for a number of years is now running into the ocean," he said.
"There's no estimate for opening now," Brumant said. "The water will be tested on Monday. Until we know the water is safe, we want people to enjoy the beach, the sunshine and the food. The restaurant is open."
Though Magens Bay was declared unsafe, Department of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Robert Mathes said Saturday that five other St. Thomas beaches are now safe for swimming.
Mathes said his department cannot close a beach; it can advise that beaches are unsafe until the Environmental Protection staff has an opportunity to test the water. "Coki Point, Lindqvist Bay, Sapphire Beach, Great Bay and Secret Harbor were tested yesterday," Mathes said, "and they are now safe for swimming."
