ST. CROIX — The owner of a storm-damaged sailing vessel in St. Thomas Harbor remains responsible for its removal by August 19 — even after collecting insurance — and could face penalties and fines if it is not removed, according to an official with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
DPNR issued a public notice on Tuesday demanding the removal, within 14 calendar days, of the sailing vessel Shameles, which has been grounded on the waterfront apron area of St. Thomas since the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto on August 13, 2024.
“We’re issuing a public notice to alert them that they need to move the vessel within 14 days,” Howard Forbes, director of DPNR’s Division of Environmental Enforcement, said. “We were aware at the time after the storm that the vessel had insurance.”
Jamal Nielsen, DPNR spokesperson, said the department does not know who owns the vessel. He said it is unknown where the vessel was registered because its registration number is not in any database, including the U.S. Coast Guard.
DPNR posted the public notice on its Facebook page on Tuesday, demanding removal of the vessel within 14 calendar days. One of the comments under the post was by SV Shameles, who wrote: “Thanks. We will forward this notice to the insurance company. They are now the responsible owners.” DPNR replied, urging SV Shameles to contact Forbes at a provided phone number or email address.
Nielsen said the vessel was insured by Sedgwick Insurance, a company in the British Virgin Islands.
“We now have to send notice to the insurance company,” he said.
While the vessel may legally belong to the insurance company, Forbes said the original owner remains responsible for its removal.
“The owner is still responsible for removing the vessel,” he said.
Immediately after Tropical Storm Ernesto, Forbes said the insurance adjuster was on-site with a contractor to remove the vessel. He said, however, that poor water quality due to sewage leaking into the harbor prevented its removal at the time.
If the owner fails to remove the vessel by the deadline, Forbes said DPNR will remove and destroy it. He said the owner could face civil penalties in addition to administrative fines to cover the department’s costs.
“We are still making all efforts to try to make contact with the owners,” Forbes said.
