Oct. 18, 2008 – Though some St. Thomas beaches are now safe for swimming, water at most St. Croix beaches has yet to be tested, Department of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Robert Mathes said Saturday.
However, the Coral Reef Swim scheduled for Sunday, will still go on, swim course director Tom Guthrie said Saturday. He said the water was being tested Saturday afternoon, and he feels confident water at the two beaches in the swim will be safe. However, there is a change of locale.
The start, historically at Buck Island, has been changed to Duggan's Reef, Guthrie said. It starts at 7:30 a.m., and still finishes at the Buccaneer Hotel, he said. Participants can call the Buccaneer at 773-2100 for updated information.
Since St. Croix got the brunt of the damage from Hurricane Omar, Mathes said, "It will probably be several more days, until it stops raining, before we can get a clear reading. It all depends on how quickly the water settles," he said.
"Typically, after a major rain event, water in the guts picks up everything in its wake and moves it to the shoreline," he said. "It's an unfortunate situation, but it's usually 48 to 72 hours."