National Safe Boating Week is an annual event that launches the recreational boating season in the United States and its territories, intended to educate the public in the basic principles of boating and water safety in order to prevent associated accidents, injuries and fatalities on territorial waterways. This year’s event will be observed May 22-28. The theme is “Boat Smart, Boat Safe – Wear It.”
The week is sponsored by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources along with its partners: the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Power Squadron and the V.I. Police Department.
The celebration will commence with an opening ceremony event and Fun Day at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, atLoredon Boynes Sr. Marine Facility Dock in Cruz Bay, St. John. The fun day will include water sport activities, boating safety training and education, a coast guard helicopter rescue demonstration and much more.
Due to the activities, the dock will be closed to general traffic from 9 p.m. on May 21 (except ferries) through 5 p.m. on May 22. Also, all anchored and mooring vessels adjacent to the marine facility dock must relocate during this period to accommodate the opening ceremony and fun day. The National Park Service will wave its mooring fees from May 21 to 22 at Caneel Bay’s mooring field; no anchoring will be allowed, and vessels must be less than 60’ in length to use these moorings. Temporary anchoring will be allowed at Great Cruz Bay and Red Hook for the period. Public passenger ferry vessels and taxi vehicles will utilize the Cruz Bay Creek from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for operations on May 22.
For more information on National Safe Boating Week, contact the Division of Environmental Enforcement on St. Thomas at 774-3320.