Security Levels
SECTOR SAN JUAN
RIO ST CROIX
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Operations
Resident Inspection Office St. Croix routinely performs all Marine Safety related operational functions. This includes conducting Small Passenger Vessel (T- Boat) inspections, Cruise Ship Examinations, Port State Control boardings on Foreign Freight Vessels, Tank Vessels, and CCSSC (Caribbean Cargo Ships). Personnel respond to and investigate pollution cases and marine casualty cases. RIO St. Croix’s deep-draft boardings are concentrated on crude, product and chemical tankers that off-load to and load from the HOVENSA oil refinery on the southern coast. RIO also serves as a liaison for COMCOGARD SECTOR SAN JUAN in other mission areas and logistical support.
Aids To Navigation
Christiansted and Frederiksted Harbor have a combination of federal and private aids. The Hams Bluff Light and the Buck Island Light are both federally maintained. The aids at Limetree Bay (HOVENSA) and Krause Lagoon are privately maintained. As previously mentioned, there is great interest to have the Krause Lagoon Channel federally maintained.
Pollution Summary
Typically, RIO St. Croix's pollution reports are for small spills (less than 10 gallons) reported by the responsible party. Although situations vary as to the reason for the spill, the most frequent source is usually related to some type of bulk liquid transfer with equipment failure or human errors being the main contributing factor. After hours reports are taken by the CDO. The CDO contacts the duty petty officer here on St. Croix. On-site investigations are normally conducted and the supervisor notified as necessary as to the course of action. Duty petty officers make use of a variety of resources around the island to assist with the response. For example, the Department of Planning & Natural Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and local Marine Police all have patrol boats to assist during an investigation. Also, Seaborne Aviation has seaplanes that pass over the harbor frequently which can assist with pinpointing a mystery spill.
Harbor Safety Committees
RIO St. Croix started a Harbor Safety Committee under the direction of NVIC 00-01. The HSC has improved working relationships with all members of the maritime industry. In addition, the major focus has been to solicit input to identify risks. At present, those primary risks are slowly being addressed through the monthly HSC committee meetings.
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Contact Information:
LT Roger Bogert
Supervisor
6081 Castle Coakley
Christiansted, USVI 00820
Tel. (340) 772-5557
Fax. (340) 778-8185
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Life in St. Croix
There is no military housing on St. Croix. All assigned personnel live on the economy. Cost of living is comparable to any big city in the United States. St. Croix has fine hotels, excellent dinning, sights to see, aselection of the other things to do and all kinds of beaches.
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