The Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority has recorded 10 vessel-grounding incidents between February and December this year, including four between October and December, prompting Chief Marine Accident Investigator in the Premier’s Office, Jerome Padmore, to call on vessel owners and operators to heighten vigilance while navigating Virgin Islands waters.

“This is a significant number and it is concerning, especially given that the marine tourism season is just beginning,” Mr. Padmore said. “It highlights the urgent need to reinforce strict situational and navigational awareness when operating in local waters.”

He said the incidents primarily involved bareboat charter catamarans and occurred under varying conditions, but all shared common contributing factors: reduced situational awareness, inadequate passage planning, and over-reliance on electronic navigation systems.

Mr. Padmore said most groundings are preventable and typically result from human error rather than mechanical failure. Common causes include lapses in concentration, misinterpretation of navigation tools, incorrect assessments of shallow areas, and excessive dependence on electronic charts.

“In regions like the Virgin Islands, operators must remain vigilant due to the complex geography, which includes numerous islands, cays, reefs, shoals, and submerged rock formations,” he said. “These elements can change with tides and weather, making attention to detail essential.”

He also warned that groundings pose serious environmental risks, including damage to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and marine habitats. Even one incident, he said, can cause long-term ecosystem harm and require costly restoration efforts.

The MSIRA is urging all vessel operators—including charter crews, private owners, commercial operators, and bareboat charterers—to reaffirm their commitment to safe navigation. Recommendations include reviewing bareboat charter qualification criteria, ensuring proper briefings, consulting cruising guides and local charts before departure, following designated channels, monitoring water depth, observing navigational buoys, and reporting hazards.

All marine accidents, including groundings, must be reported to the MSIRA within 24 hours, as required under the Virgin Islands Merchant Shipping (Accident Investigation and Reporting) Regulations 2020.

The National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands observed Arbour Day 2025 on Nov. 21 with native tree plantings at The Baths National Park and Spring Bay National Park, part of an ongoing effort to restore natural vegetation and strengthen coastal ecosystems.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the Trust said the plantings support the replacement of invasive species and the long-term health of two of the Territory’s most visited natural sites. Officials said the initiative aligns with broader conservation priorities across the national park system.

“Arbour Day is an opportunity to give back to the land that sustains us,” the Trust said. “These plantings contribute to the resilience of our coastal landscapes and help ensure these sites remain healthy for generations to come.”

Alongside the plantings, the Trust’s annual Arbour Day Plant Sale is being held at the Joseph Reynold O’Neal Botanic Gardens from Nov. 17 through Nov. 28. The sale features a variety of fruit trees, including Suriname cherry, lemon, sugar apple, sugarcane fruit, and starfruit, as well as other native species. The Trust also made available the Ylang Ylang tree, known for its fragrant yellow blossoms used in perfumery.

Residents were encouraged to take part in Arbour Day by planting trees in their communities or visiting the Botanic Gardens to purchase native species. The Trust noted that public participation plays a vital role in advancing environmental stewardship across the Territory.

Arbour Day observances highlight reforestation, biodiversity, and the importance of native vegetation — key components in safeguarding the ecological integrity of the Virgin Islands.