Marine Survey Now Key to Restoring Water Spirit and Admiral’s Pride Service to Puerto Rico, Bryan Says

The path to restoring regular Puerto Rico service for Water Spirit and Admiral’s Pride now depends on certified marine surveys that must show the vessels’ current loading and mooring operations do not encroach on a federally designated navigable waterway, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said following a meeting between Government of the Virgin Islands representatives and the U.S. Coast Guard.

If the current location cannot be approved, the governor said the Government of the Virgin Islands will work with the vessel operators, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority and the U.S. Coast Guard to identify another suitable docking location.

The update comes amid concerns about cargo disruption affecting residents and businesses that rely on freight service between the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Tortola and the broader Caribbean.

According to Governor Bryan, the Coast Guard has clarified that neither Water Spirit, which operates out of the U.S. Virgin Islands, nor Admiral’s Pride, which operates between Tortola and Puerto Rico, has been banned from traveling to Puerto Rico. The issue, he said, is tied specifically to the location being used for loading and offloading operations after changes to docking arrangements in Puerto Rico.

“The important point is that these vessels are not prohibited from operating to Puerto Rico,” Governor Bryan said. “The issue at hand is strictly related to the location being used for loading and offloading operations following changes at the marina facility.”