The Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) 2023/24 installed 200 moorings territory-wide in the popular cruising grounds of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. The moorings help protect the underwater habitats and interrelated ecological systems of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and algal plains from anchors and anchor chains.
A THREESOME THAT WORKS! If this lead line catches you scratching your head and wondering about what’s going on with partying in the USVI, what we are about to share is reason to celebrate. Both local and visiting boats, including recreational, private, and commercial vessels will be able to access more moorings. It’s been said that somethings are too good to be true. However, in this case, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the Office of the Governor and VIPCA (Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association) joined forces to make it happen, This trio demonstrated how government and private entities can work together to benefit tourism and local jobs while protecting the vulnerable bay bottoms. Historically, problems finding an available mooring in these waters were not uncommon. The hope of this trio had been to ready the harbors to accommodate more vessels. Phase one of the installation is complete. With teamwork and planning, we can happily say, mission accomplished! 200 helix-type secure moorings were installed across various bays in the US Virgin Islands and will be ready for season, Check your 2024 Edition of Cruising Guides for locations. Reservations/payments can be made online via BoatyBall.
Vessels up to 65’ to include local, visiting, recreational, private and commercial may use moorings for a period not to exceed 14 days. Mooring use is identified by color. Yellow banded moorings are provided for day use so that boaters can enjoy diving and/or swimming. The fee for use is a donation of $10 that may be paid online using the BoatyBall app. For overnight or longer stays you’ll need to use blue banded moorings which are $35 per night, also payable via BoatyBall. The fees
Generated from the use of the day moorings go toward maintaining the moorings and third-party insurance.
Locations of VIPCA public moorings can be found at boater.boatyball.com/map or vipca.org/boatyball
VIPCA, a USVI-based non-profit marine association, offering a wealth of information on its website (vipca.org) for commercial charter yachts, bareboaters and cruisers. This includes rules and regulations for USVI, BVI, and Puerto Rico waters and an online marine directory of local vendors and charter businesses
