One resident, voicing the collective anger of the community, told JTV News, “This is the height of nonsense. Tomorrow is the first day of school, and we are only now being told that water is being coordinated to be sent over in trucks on a barge. We on the sister islands continue to be treated cruelly, like stepchildren.”

While the extent of the outage across the island has not been fully confirmed, it is understood that residents in elevated areas have been grappling with water pressure issues for the past week. The complete island-wide outage began on Friday, September 6, due to a breakage in the water system.

Speaking with JTV News, Acting Director of the Water and Sewerage Department, Mr. Brian Davis, explained that the water cut was caused by multiple challenges, including mechanical issues with earth-moving equipment. “We are working to remedy the situation, but the breakage has compounded existing problems we were already addressing on the island.”

Minister of Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer, acknowledged the severity of the situation and confirmed that trucks carrying water had been transported to Jost Van Dyke earlier in the day. Both Hon. Rymer and Mr. Davis apologised to affected residents, assuring them that water would likely be restored by the end of Monday, September 9.

However, District Representative Honourable Melvin Mitch Turnbull expressed his disappointment with the handling of the situation, particularly by the Minister of Communications and Works. “I am utterly disappointed in the way the Minister is dealing with the human rights of the people in his district on Jost Van Dyke. This marks the fifth full week without water in the last three months,” he said.

Hon. Turnbull expressed his gratitude to Mr. Brian Davis and the two local employees, Mr. Cecil Chinnery and Mr. Liston Graham, for their tireless efforts to address the crisis. He also urged the Minister to remember that his responsibility extends to the entire British Virgin Islands, including the residents of Jost Van Dyke in the Second District.

As the island waits for water to return, the community remains on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing crisis.

The post Jost Van Dyke Residents Face Water Crisis as Shortage Enters Seventh Day appeared first on Jahphix Television - BVI's #1 NEWS SOURCE.

In a heartfelt Facebook post shared by her family earlier today, they announced the sad news: “Good day beautiful family and friends of Mama Gertrude of Gertrude’s Beach Bar. It is with sad news that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, sister, aunt, granny, friend.”

They continued by asking for the community’s support: “Please, we are asking if you have any memories or pictures of Mama Gertrude to please flood her timeline at this moment. Thank you. May the memories of her passionate love remain in our hearts forever.”

For decades, Gertrude’s Beach Bar was more than just a place to grab a drink or enjoy the ocean breeze; it was a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, where people felt like family. Mama Gertrude, as she was affectionately known, had a way of making everyone feel at home, and her legacy will surely live on in the stories and photos that will now fill her online memorial.

Her passing marks the end of an era for Jost Van Dyke, but her spirit will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of the island’s culture. As the community grieves, they also celebrate a life lived with love, laughter, and a deep connection to the people around her.

The post Gertrude Callwood, Beloved Owner of Gertrude’s Beach Bar, Passes Away at 78 appeared first on Jahphix Television - BVI's #1 NEWS SOURCE.

As a result, all vessels heading to Jost Van Dyke must first clear at the West End Ferry Terminal until the issues are resolved and services at the Jost Van Dyke terminal can safely resume. The Department of Immigration has expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by this abrupt closure and assures the public that the decision was made with the safety and security of all travelers in mind.

For further information or updates, the Department of Immigration can be contacted at 468-4065.

The post Temporary Closure of Jost Van Dyke Ferry Terminal appeared first on Jahphix Television - BVI's #1 NEWS SOURCE.

In an open letter addressed to key government officials in early April and signed by representatives of several prominent establishments, including Foxy’s Bar, Ali Baba’s, and Corsairs, the business owners underscore the urgent need for repairs and upgrades to the in-town dock in front of the Albert Chinnery Administration Building. They argue that this dock should be designated for visiting day boats from the US Virgin Islands (USVI), which would streamline the customs and immigration process and reduce overcrowding at the currently overburdened Dog Hole Dock.

“We observe the crowded scene at Dog Hole Dock daily,” the letter states, “and we believe it is essential to prepare and utilise the Government Dock in front of the Albert Chinnery Administration Building for day boats from the USVI. This will allow for a more efficient customs and immigration process and alleviate the congestion at Dog Hole.”

The proposal highlights the need for immediate repairs and proper outfitting of the in-town dock with adequate cleats to accommodate the incoming boats. Furthermore, it suggests that local fishing boats should use this dock exclusively for pick-up and drop-off purposes, freeing up space at Dog Hole for larger commercial vessels and cruise ship passengers.

An additional recommendation is the reconstruction of a dock in front of the Burial Ground, dedicated solely to fishermen. This, the business owners assert, would not only support the local fishing community but also help revitalise Great Harbour.

The business owners emphasise the importance of allowing passengers from day-charter boats to disembark and explore Great Harbour while their passports are processed by the captains. This would prevent the uncomfortable and sometimes lengthy wait on the boats under the hot sun and would offer visitors a chance to enjoy the unique charm and hospitality of the area.

“Our preferred option is to let passengers roam Great Harbour,” the letter continues, “rather than keeping them on the boats for an hour or more at Dog Hole. They pay a premium to experience our beautiful environment, and we want them to have the best possible experience.”

Addressed to high-ranking officials, including Hon. Premier and Minsiter of Finance Natalio Wheatley and Hon. Minister of Financial Services, Labour & Trade Lorna Smith, the letter seeks swift action from the government. It appeals for the involvement of various ministries, including Ports, Customs and Immigration, and Tourism, to reinstate the use of the office at the Albert Chinnery Building and the in-town dock for customs and immigration services.

As of now, there has been no response to the letter that was sent in early April.

The post Chaos at Dog Hole: Business Owners Demand Dock Improvements Amid Power Outages and Overcrowding appeared first on Jahphix Television - BVI's #1 NEWS SOURCE.

However, progress was not without its hurdles, as unfavourable weather conditions delayed the repair work for several weeks.

“The favorable weather and calm waters have allowed divers to make some strides in the restoration efforts, to completion,” remarked the Minister in a press release, highlighting the collaborative effort that was underway to bring back electricity to the island.

General Manager for BVIEC, Dr. Neil Smith, expressed his team’s dedication in getting the sister island back on the grid.

“We made one of the required joints in the subsea cable yesterday, Thursday, February 15, and a joint on the land-side to connect the cable to the grid,” stated Dr. Smith. “We then commenced the necessary testing and energized the cable. We really wanted to restore the sister island onto the grid today, Friday, February 16, and I am grateful for the dedication of the team at BVIEC in seeing this through.”

It was on September 18, 2023, when the island was first plunged into darkness due to a subsea cable failure, leaving its residents grappling with the challenges of life without electricity.

The BVIEC Electricity Corporation swiftly responded to the crisis, installing generators to provide temporary relief to the island’s inhabitants. However, these measures were not without their own set of challenges, as the temporary setup experienced multiple failures, resulting in recurrent power outages over the following months.

Despite the setbacks, the BVIEC remained undeterred in their mission to restore power to Jost Van Dyke. Late in December, the corporation successfully acquired the necessary parts to repair the subsea cable, marking a significant step forward in the restoration efforts.

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