With the start of hurricane season less than two months away, the staff at V.I. Coral Reef National Monument is getting ready to allocate spots along the four hurricane chains in the protected Hurricane Hole.
If boaters want the same spot as last year, they must register by May 7.
The monument is managed by the same staff as V.I. National Park. Rafe Boulon, chief of resource management, said the park instituted the registration system to protect Hurricane Hole’s natural resources.
"It’s to protect the mangroves from people tying ropes to them. It provides a place at least as strong as the mangroves," Boulon said.
The spot is a traditional hurricane shelter for boats, and Boulon said the system continues that tradition while protecting the resources.
"It’s the most pristine mangrove habitat left in the U.S. Virgin Islands and a juvenile fish nursery," he said.
Spots on the four mooring chains in Hurricane Hole not claimed by those who had them last year will be placed into a pool of vacant spots to be allocated at a May 29 drawing at the park’s visitor center in Cruz Bay.
Hurricane Hole has 101 spots on the four mooring chains. Additionally, Boulon said that last year, 20 spots off the chain were allocated either because all the chain spots were taken or the boater preferred the non-chain location.
Those who request the same spot as last year by May 7 will receive a 2010 application form, which must be filled out and returned via mail, email, fax, or in person. The initial contact with park staff will secure a berth for 2010.
According to a park press release, boats must be present in U.S or British Virgin Island waters for at least 50 percent of the June 1 through Nov. 30 hurricane season to be eligible to retain or secure a spot in the drawing. Spots will not be allocated to boats that will be out of the territory and want a spot “just in case.”
If a vessel gets a permit for a hurricane berth and is found to be out of the United States or British territories for more than half of the season without notifying the park, the boater will forfeit his or her berth permanently.
However, should a vessel have a berth and the owner finds that he or she must leave, he or she may notify the park. The berth will remain theirs in subsequent seasons as long as the same berth allocation system is used.
If you know of a boater who doesn’t have email to receive the renewal notification, Boulon requested that the information be passed along.
To renew your spot in Hurricane Hole, email Boulon at rafe_boulon@nps.gov or call 693-8950, extension 224. Boaters may also call Esther Francis at 693-8950, extension 232.
