July 21, 2003 – As Virgin Islands residents observed Hurricane Supplication Day on Monday, Tropical Depression 6 fell apart as it approached the Caribbean.
Forecasters on Saturday had thought the storm would reach hurricane strength as it passed south of the Virgin Islands but by Sunday had downgraded their projection to a tropical storm. At the 5 p.m. update on Monday, the storm had dissipated and was considered a tropical wave.
"It was moving so fast, it didn't have time to organize," Francisco Balleste of the National Weather Service in San Juan said.
However, the territory will experience fast-moving showers until Tuesday morning, with rainfall of 1 to 3 inches expected.
A tropical storm watch was issued for the Virgin Islands on Monday morning in case the storm veered north, but as of 5 p.m. Monday the tropical wave was just east of the Lesser Antilles and the watch was canceled.
Balleste said there are no other tropical waves approaching the area that show cause for concern at this time.
While residents escaped harm from this storm, Harold Baker, V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency director, warned that the season still has a long way to go. "Have your survival kits handy," he said.
Rafe Boulon, V.I. National Park acting superintendent, said boaters have been trickling into the Hurricane Hole safe haven for more than a month. He said there's space for about 100 vessels. As the park's system currently stands, boaters may enter Hurricane Hole at any time to install their hurricane ground tackle, thereby reserving their spot, but they cannot keep their boats there until a storm threatens. Boulon noted that boaters may not mark a spot with such things as cement blocks or buoys.
After installing ground tackle, a boater must send a letter to Boulon requesting a permit to use the safe haven space. Letters should include the boater's mailing address. They may be sent to Boulon via the Postal Service to V.I. National Park, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John VI 00830. They also may be faxed at 693-9500 or e-mailed to Rafe Boulon at NPS.
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