Death at Annaly Tide Pools ???

Yes. I heard the story on the radio. Didn't catch all of it, but I believe it was a female who had been living here for four months.

EDIT: Here is all the info ... http://stcroixsource.com/content/news/local-news/2011/12/09/st-croix-teenager-drowns-annaly-bay

Thx. The article says she was swept out from the pools. But I doubt that given the rock wall there. More likely they were on the wall. .
Can't believe anyone would swim there as rough as has been lately.

wow that is so sad. i was just there but i don't remember seeing any rough waters in the actual tide pools? are there areas that are not safe to swim?

On rough days the two upper pools can be swamped by rogue waves which "flush" you into the jagged rocks walls of the pool. Catches people by surprise. The big main pool is safe though one must climb across a rocky area to get to it. The rock beach next to the pools ("singing rock beach") can be difficult on a good day as it is steep. Need to exercise discretion.

did it acutally happen in the tidal pools or on the way crossing over the rocks? i know there is a place where the water rushes in and you have to cross over that area. that is the place where i used common sense ( i was scared and it was rough that day) to turn around.
a beautiful place but could be very dangerous.

BTW who owns the tidal pools? private or govt land??

BTW who owns the tidal pools? private or govt land??

Da people dem. Anything below the mean high tide line is public property. Access thereto is a different issue, but my understanding is that no one "owns" the tidal pools.

I heard that she was swept into the water while going across the narrow ledge that leads to the pools, There is a wicked rip current in that area when the surf is high, it affects carambola beach too.
If you get caught in a rip, just relax and float or tread water to gauge where and how fast you are going, a lot of time the rip will dissipate and you can swim to shore. Years ago I got caught in a rip at Grapetree and floated to Divi, no way I could have swam against it..

Someone told that she was sucked down into the 'blow hole" in the upper pools which drains to the sea.
It's not very big, but perhaps just big enough for a small person.
The water can drain through there furiously.

Tide pools shouldn't be messed with period. I don't know whether or not there are warning signs posted by the Annaly Pools but there WERE signs posted at the end of Peterborg Point on STT many years ago when someone suffered a similar fate. Apparently the sign eventually fell apart and, a few years later, one of the Wheatley boys met his demise in that same spot.

Anyone who's ever been caught in a rip knows (and obviously at least one poster here has had the experience) how devastating the experience is. I was caught once up in Maine many years ago and once at Mandahl on STT many years ago. Friendly calm water all of a sudden turns into a fiendish turmoil where your body is being dragged. Your every instinct is to fight and swim but, however powerful a swimmer you are, all your motions are to no avail. The first time it happened to me I honestly have no idea how, after the first initial panic, I somehow knew to relax and go with the flow. Writing this down, now I do know but that's a whole 'nother story! I made it to safety, of course.

The second time at Mandahl I'd swum out beyond the ACE breaker as I'd done many times before and - whooompf - I got sucked in big time. There was nobody else around, I was being sucked out into open sea. I carefully started slowly swimming on a tangent. Two forward one sucked back and it seemed an interminable journey but I was soon able to get myself back in the calm water and haul myself out of the water.

If there are no warning signs up by the Annaly pools then maybe there should be. And then again maybe the installation of a warning sign might make plunging into the pools more attractive like a "Fear Factor" exercise in futility. Me no know! 😀

a girl was tossed in by a wave yesterday..... cut up real good..........wet rocks and little knowledge of the seas real power

I just received this email from VISF:

ELLEN NETTLES MEMORIAL SERVICE & POT LUCK PARTY

at Ridge to Reef Farm

Saturday, December 17th, 4pm

Dear friends and fans,

We have experienced an unspeakably tragic loss with the passing of our beloved intern, Ellen Nettles. She was swept to sea and drowned while on her day off visiting the anally tide pools on 12/8/11. Members of her immediate and farm family want to carry on Ellen's incredibly lively and inspiring spirit as we honor her life in ceremony, and even more importantly in our daily lives following. By all accounts Ellen contained a shining beauty that she shared with honesty and an endless curiosity and zest for life. She was extremely passionate about growing food organically and enjoying each moment in life. As such, Ellen literally seeded thousands of plants that will grow into this year's winter CSA season at the farm and we dedicate this coming year to her as she continues to touch us all.

Please join us here at Ridge to Reef Farm Saturday, Dec 17, for a Memorial Service to honor her life and celebrate her soul & spirit. Arrive at 4pm, ceremony starts at 4:30 and we plan on staying by the fire through the night. Please bring "pot-luck" dishes and stories to share. We will have a fire celebration at the community center. Joining us are Ellen's father and sister. They want to gain insights on her life here, and as Ellen would want it, for us to enjoy each other's company over great food and good times.

She taught us some important lessons in her life: Be bold, be honest, and when you love someone, let them know it.

PLEASE SHARE WITH THOSE WHO KNEW ELLEN AND OTHERS IN COMMUNITY WANTING TO PARTICIPATE