Scouts run aground on Johnson’s Reef, Virgin Islands

[RememberSchiff 3680]

All safe no injuries. Environmental hazard removal and incident investigation in progress.

Coast Guard received a call at 2:11 p.m. on Monday from a Good Samaritan who observed “what appeared to be a vessel grounding of a monohull sailing vessel with white sails,” said U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Ricardo Castrodad. The vessel was reported to be carrying nine people on board — two adults and seven minors, who were Boy Scouts.

A Good Samaritan vessel was able to disembark the minors and one of the adults, who were transported to Sapphire Beach Marina.

“A Coast Guard asset arrived on scene and couldn’t get close to the vessel because it could run aground, so another vessel was able to disembark the other adult and transfer him to our boat, then our Coast Guard vessel brought him ashore, also to Sapphire Beach Marina,” said Castrodad.

Hmm, Google Map does not have a option for boating direction and distance from Johnson's Reef to Sea Base, St. Thomas,

Source:

https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/boat-with-boy-scouts-aboard-runs-aground-on-johnson-s-reef/article_869d1aee-749a-5ab1-a2d4-61350cc48aef.html

Scout Salute to a Good Samaritan and the Coast Guard

Edited July 29, 2023 by RememberSchiff
added Scout Salute to rescuers

[MattR 2659]

Nobody got hurt, so this falls under the category of a good story. Not sure about the keel, though. Or the captain's pride.

[RememberSchiff 3680]

Exact grounding location unknown. 

https://www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/virgin-islands-marine-visitor-use-information.htm

 

Edited July 30, 2023 by RememberSchiff

[RememberSchiff 3680]

Update Aug 24, 2023:

“The owner has abandoned the 42ft S/V Amokura (which remains aground on Johnson's Reef) and claims not to have the financial means to deal with this situation,” said U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Ricardo Castrodad.

A week after the grounding, the National Park Service (NPS) learned the vessel owner’s insurance does not cover salvage of a grounded vessel, said Virgin Islands National Park Program Coordinator Elsa Alvear.

“The NPS must therefore identify funds and award a contract to a local salvage company,” said Alvear.

To make a path for the grounded vessel northward to deeper water, trained coral restoration divers have relocated more than 400 coral colonies and fragments of colonies to a site adjacent to Johnson’s Reef. There has been no evidence of fuel spillage or other pollutants.

"Neither the Coast Guard nor the NPS would comment on potential fines or penalties for the vessel’s owner, citing an ongoing investigation."

More at source:

https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/owner-of-boat-grounded-on-johnson-s-reef-has-abandoned-the-vessel/article_281a929c-7ecc-5d9d-b6b0-7fac610e14bb.html