Office of the Commissioner 
 
 
GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES 
--------0-------- 
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 
            4611 Tutu Park Mall  
 
              45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted 
            Suite 300, 2nd Floor 
                                       St. Croix, VI 00840 
            St. Thomas, VI  00802                                                       (340) 773-1082 
            (340) 774-3320   
 
                                                    dpnr.vi.gov 
  
CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator 
jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov 
 
August 17, 2024  
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
DPNR ISSUES DAMAGED VESSEL REMOVAL NOTICE 
 
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources 
(DPNR) reminds the community that recovery operations following Tropical Storm 
Ernesto in the Virgin Islands are ongoing. This includes the continued salvage and 
removal of damaged vessels from the harbors, waterways, and boardwalks. 
 
Despite their best efforts, DPNR, the Virgin Islands Emergency Management Agency 
(VITEMA), and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have been unable to reach several 
registered boat owners whose vessels were significantly damaged during the storm. 
These vessels now pose a hazardous risk or obstacle to the community and must be 
removed. 
 
In accordance with Title 23 § 1015 DEBRIS AND WRECKAGE REMOVAL IN 
EMERGENCIES AND MAJOR DISASTERS, the Virgin Islands Government will remove 
all unclaimed vessels unless the owners come forward. Any vessels deemed 
beyond restoration will be destroyed and disposed of at the local dump. 
 
For more information, please contact Environmental Enforcement Director Howard 
Forbes at (340) 773-5774 or email howard.forbes@dpnr.vi.gov.