A sailboat that had been lodged on the St. Thomas waterfront for more than a year was finally removed following months of environmental setbacks and coordination between agencies, according to a press release from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
DPNR Commissioner Jean Pierre L. Oriol announced that the vessel Shameles, Registration Number NO 905471, was taken off the waterfront apron where it had been grounded since August 14, 2024. The boat broke free during the last hurricane and became stuck along the promenade, creating navigational and environmental concerns.
According to the press release, removal efforts were delayed by poor water quality after collapsed lines caused discharges near a nearby outfall. The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority repaired the lines, and once water conditions improved, contractors were able to safely begin work.
Above and Below Marine Services handled the operation. The vessel was dismantled in sections along the waterfront and the debris transported to the DPNR facility at Krum Bay Boat Yard, where it was destroyed before being disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner, the press release stated.
Oriol stated that the department “remained steadfast in ensuring that private obligations were met without incurring new costs to the people of the Virgin Islands.” He said maintaining the safety and beauty of the territory’s waterfronts remains a priority.
The release noted that the vessel’s removal came at no cost to the government, as all expenses were covered by the owner’s insurance company. For additional information, DPNR directed the public to contact its Division of Environmental Enforcement.
