Buck Island rangers-beware

The federal sticker? I never actually received mine back when I applied--last year or the year before....and the gal at the fort said at the time no problem, as long as I had formally applied...and indicated no need to keep coming in....

I can't remember all the boats but Shalimar was one of them.

Buck Island near STX, not the Buck Island near STT, for those that are unaware of which Buck Island is being referred to...

you can download the application from the VI National Park web site.

I spoke with the park folks...you never get a sticker...they just put you on a list...but you are apparently supposed to keep filling out that form and getting it to them each year...which of course no one told me when I went in...I did mine early in 2007, and am not on the current list...but they had me on the old list...which I guess would not be good enough.

What is this for? Being able to stay overnight or just going to Buck Island in general? I was there on Sunday...no one told us anything for being there.

Marlene,
Do you know if any boats were allowed to stay on Saturday?

I just found, completed, and faxed the permit in. Here's a link: http://www.nps.gov/buis/planyourvisit/upload/BIRNM_Anchoring_Permit_Application.pdf

Just checked the site...NOWHERE does it indicate that the permit--which they never give you--expires or needs to be renewed or anything...I know they told me not to worry about it when I applied. Since you never get a response or reply or sticker I'd sure be unhappy if I was one who'd been told to leave.

As far as I am aware, nobody knew about the renewal that was at Buck Island on Saturday. it was 3 in the afternoon on a Saturday. what a way to ruin everyones day.
I work at the marina and we have made phone calls to the rangers station telling them there was never a renewal. Several people have said they got one in 2004 and 2005 and never had this happen. We are passing out the form to everyone with a boat now, telling everyone what is going on. People did not know.....

What is the fee? It has a blank on the form linked above but doesn't say how much you have to pay?

I filled out my application at the park service center in downtown Christiansted just 2-3 months ago. There was no fee at that time.

I spoke with the women running the program yesterday after downloading the application. Fax in the application and a copy of your boat's registration to the fax number on the application. Keep a copy of the form and THE TRANSMITTAL RECEIPT from you fax machine. Keep both these documents on your boat along with your registration. There is no fee at this time for the permit nor will you get anything back from them.

Jim

Well David was kicked out with Parrothead and I know he DID know he needed to renew his anchoring permit, but he just didn't bother. Then he started whining that how dare the parks department decide to enforce rules that haven't been enforced in the past just because there is a new head ranger who has enforced rules in the other national parks she's worked in previously. He thinks she should instead do as the locals do and not do her job. Maybe in time he'll get that wish as there is likely to be a lot of flack from boaters who get kicked out until they get their permit.

It's rather hypocritical when people complain that the local law enforcement authorities never enforce laws but swiftly change their argument to the other side if a rule gets enforced that they have been only too happy to break. Maybe some new boat owners don't know all the various permits and licenses required, but the long-time boaters with fancy boats who are out at Buck all the time should certainly know the score. I reminded David that he should be delighted he was merely displaced and didn't get fined and that they hadn't impounded his boat on the many occasions when he was lobstering in the national park grounds... and then so stupid as to post the pictures on Facebook!

Ooh, shame on David...;) And I know the rangers are getting their job done, but they should have had a press release that they were going to do this. It was a change that needed to be made, but a warning should have been given. I wasn't out there but heard from all the other boaters in the marina.

Edited to add that it looks like alot of people on this board were told otherwise when they applied. It should have been directed that those registrations be renewed every year.