US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association
Virgin Islands National Park News Release
Release Date: April 11, 2024
Contact: Thomas Kelley at 340-690-2440
Virgin Islands National Park – Public Notice
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ANNOUNCES
2024 STORM REFUGE PERMITTING PROCEDURES FOR HURRICANE HOLE
ST. JOHN, USVI – 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 2024 hurricane season.
Vessel owners who were permitted in 2023 to use a storm mooring in Hurricane Hole and wish to retain their storm mooring berth for the 2024 season, must complete an application to renew their berth. Applications may be picked up at the NPS Visitor Center in Cruz Bay, St. John or emailed upon request.
A new application form will be used this year, but administrative and use fees are once again being waived.
Please contact Ms. Esther Francis at VIIS_Storm_Permits@nps.gov or 340-201-4521 with any questions regarding the application process or to request an application. Please send completed applications via e-mail to VIIS_Storm_Permits@nps.gov, U.S. Mail, or delivered in person at the park Visitor Center between 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applications to renew a berth must be received at the park by May 9, 2024. Applications may be mailed to: Virgin Islands National Park, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI 00830 attention Storm Permits. The NPS will issue a new permit for the same berth upon receipt of the completed application and verification of the 2023 berth assignment.
A virtual drawing will be held for all open berths on May 11, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Completed applications must be provided to the NPS by May 9, 2024. Applicants are advised to stand-by to receive a phone call during the virtual drawing.
Any vessel owner who was issued a temporary permit last year and wishes to retain the berth this year must notify the NPS. If the original permit-holder does not renew their permit, the temporary permit-holder may renew the berth after the May 9, 2024 deadline. If the original permit-holder renews their permit, the temporary permit-holder may participate in the May 11, 2024 drawing to compete for open berths.
Note that if a vessel was sold or transferred during the past year, the new vessel owner must renew the storm berth from the previous year to retain the berth.
Please contact, Ms. Esther Francis at 340-201-4521 should you have any questions
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.