MSIRA Urges Mariners to Slow Down and Stay Alert as North Sound Traffic Surges

The Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA), within the Premier’s Office, is urging all mariners operating in and around the North Sound area to prioritise safety, as marine activity continues to increase across the Virgin Islands.

Popular mooring and anchoring areas—including Virgin Gorda (North and South), Norman Island, Cooper Island, Jost Van Dyke, and surrounding waters—are currently experiencing heavy traffic. Charter vessels, private boats, dinghies, swimmers, and water-sports users are often sharing the same spaces, creating heightened risk in confined and high-use zones.

“In these busy conditions, decisions such as maintaining a safe speed, keeping a proper lookout, remaining situationally aware, and ensuring the captain is sober can make the difference between a safe day on the water and a serious incident,” said Mr. Jerome Padmore, Chief Marine Accident Investigator.

Mr. Padmore referenced a tragic fatal accident in the North Sound area in 2024 involving a dinghy and a yacht tender, noting that it serves as a sobering reminder that safety must remain the priority on every journey—no matter how short or familiar the route may seem.

“Recent reports, particularly in the North Sound area, have raised concerns about vessels operating at excessive speeds in confined areas, transiting through mooring fields too quickly, and anchoring in locations that obstruct safe passage,” Mr. Padmore said. “These actions significantly increase risk, especially where water sports, swimmers, and resort tenders regularly move between channels and nearby areas—particularly at night, when visibility is reduced and vessel movement can be unpredictable.”

MSIRA is reminding all operators, captains, and charter companies of the importance of compliance with the Virgin Islands Merchant Shipping Act, 2001, and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). These include maintaining a proper lookout, proceeding at a safe speed, and taking early and decisive action to avoid danger.

According to Mr. Padmore, these requirements are not merely guidance but legal obligations—and essential safety tools designed to protect lives. He emphasised the following measures for safe navigation in Virgin Islands waters:

Operate at safe and controlled speeds, including 5 knots within channels and mooring fields, which are no-wake zones.

Display proper navigation lighting at night in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act, 2001 and COLREGs.

Avoid high-speed transit through channels and mooring fields.

Remain vigilant for swimmers, paddlers, and other low-profile craft, which can be difficult to see, particularly in low light.

Mariners are also reminded that under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2001, all marine accidents and incidents must be reported to MSIRA. “Reporting is crucial for identifying safety trends and preventing future harm, and it is vital for protecting everyone who uses our waters,” Mr. Padmore said.

MSIRA encourages all boaters—commercial and recreational—to slow down, stay alert, and look out for one another. Mooring fields and anchorages are shared spaces, and a strong culture of safety will help ensure these waters remain safe and enjoyable for all.