After anchoring in Frank Bay in early June, the 155-foot vessel left the bay in early July, just a week before DPNR issued a reminder about the bay being off-limits to anchoring.
When Frank Bay residents looked out their windows on Friday, June 7, they were shocked to find the Leyland Sneed anchored just off shore.
The 155-foot vessel had been docked at the Enighed Pond Marine Facility for months before being moved over to Frank Bay. With lines attached to trees on shore and several anchors on the ocean floor, residents weren’t the only ones concerned about the vessel’s new location.
V.I. Water and Power Authority has submerged electrical cables in the area, which were dangerously close to the Leyland Sneed’s anchors, according to several people familiar with the situation.
The boat’s presence and potential damage to WAPA resources prompted several residents to call Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Division of Enforcement to report the possible danger.
After about a month, DPNR officials issued a press release last week — which did not mention Leyland Sneed by name — to remind boaters that Frank Bay is actually off limits to all anchoring and mooring.
DPNR Commissioner Alicia Barnes reminds the boating community that Frank Bay, St. John, is not a designated anchoring or mooring area, according to the release.
“Signage in the area labels this bay as a no anchoring zone due to electrical cables submerged by the V.I. Water and Power Authority,” according to the prepared statement. “DPNR will continue to enforce the no anchoring zone to protect boaters.”
Currently, Chocolate Hole and Coral Bay are available for anchoring in the St. John area, according to the release.
A copy of Rules and Regulations for Mooring and Anchoring Vessels in the US Virgin Islands is available at the Division of Environmental Enforcement.
For more information contact either DPNR Acting Director of Enforcement Howard Forbes at (340) 773-5774 or DPNR Acting Assistant Director of Enforcement Jessica Parris at (340) 774-3320 ext. 5125.
