The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) has unveiled plans to commence the much-needed reconstruction of the tender landing pier at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility in Frederiksted, St. Croix. Slated to start on Tuesday, May 14, the project will be undertaken by Eleven Construction, the designated contractor.

This significant undertaking will focus on the installation of steel piles along the southern edge of the pier, an effort that is expected to cause some disturbances. The local community might notice increased levels of noise and vibrations, along with some limitations on accessing the facility. VIPA and Eleven Construction have committed to keeping disruptions to a minimum and completing the work swiftly, according to the port authority.

In anticipation of the impacts, VIPA has issued an apology for the disturbances and expressed gratitude for the community’s patience and collaboration during the construction period.

Details of the Tender Pier Replacement:

• Previous Usage: The tender pier, which sustained considerable damage during two Category 5 hurricanes in 2017, was a vital point for cruise excursions, dive boat operations, and local fishing activities. It also functioned as an auxiliary landing for cruise ship passengers.
• New Structure: The project involves constructing a new pier measuring 80 feet in length and 50 feet in width, which will replace the previously damaged structure.

For any inquiries or concerns about the ongoing project, please contact VIPA’s engineering office in St. Croix:

• Philippe Beyer at [email protected]
• Michael Denis at [email protected] Or by phone at (340) 778-1012.

For the second consecutive day, schools in the St. Thomas-St. John District will be shuttered until at least 10:00 a.m. Thursday, a closure spurred by persistent power outages across the islands. The Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority (WAPA) has pinpointed the cause as a significant loss in generation capacity, impacting the entire district.

WAPA released a statement addressing the crisis: “The islands of St. Thomas and St. John are currently facing an island-wide outage due to a generation loss. Our team at the WAPA Plant is vigorously working to restore power. We sincerely apologize for the disruption and appreciate the community’s patience as our personnel strive to safely and efficiently resolve the situation.”

The Department of Education of the Virgin Islands (VIDE) has issued instructions for the district, directing essential workers to report to their stations by 9:00 a.m., while students and other staff members are slated for a delayed start at 10:00 a.m.

VIDE commented on the disruptions, “This unfortunate event has hindered our usual school operations throughout the district.” In response to the ongoing power issues, education officials are closely watching developments and stand ready to act on any new information concerning the restoration of electricity. The department underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and promises to keep the public duly informed through official updates.

In light of these events, parents, guardians, and all involved parties are advised to stay alert to new announcements regarding the operational status of schools within the district.

TenaVel Thomas, a high-level manager at the U.S Customs and Border Protections Agency’s Port of New York/Newark, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Virgin Islander to receive the Arthur S. Fleming Award since its inception nearly 80 years ago.

Each year, the award recognizes twelve exceptional federal employees for their contributions across various sectors, including applied science, engineering, leadership, management, clinical trials, and translational research. Ms. Thomas, who was nominated by her own agency, CBP, has been distinguished for her exemplary leadership and management skills.

Appointed less than a year ago to oversee operations at the Port of New York/Newark, Ms. Thomas manages one of the nation’s busiest seaports and the fourth busiest airport. Since joining CBP in 2008, she has rapidly advanced within the organization, breaking barriers as a woman in a predominantly male field.

In her recent discussions with the Consortium, Ms. Thomas shared her ambitious plans for promoting significant initiatives within CBP and supporting female colleagues in the industry. Her leadership has led to the development of a new repatriation center for refugees at JFK Airport and the establishment of a full-time team dedicated to employee resilience.

Ms. Thomas’s innovative efforts have significantly enhanced the facilitation of over $250 billion in imported goods and the transit of 6.5 million passengers annually, earning her national recognition within the CBP. Her dedication to national security and social equity was highlighted as particularly influential on the Arthur S. Fleming Award’s website.

Raised on the island of St. Thomas, Ms. Thomas expressed her excitement about her nomination, marveling at the caliber of her fellow nominees, which includes top federal employees from various fields. “To say that I’m honored by this selection is an understatement,” she remarked to Consortium journalists, emphasizing her commitment to excellence and her roots as an “island girl.”

Ms. Thomas credits her family, particularly her father, with inspiring her pursuit of excellence; he jubilantly equates her achievements to “walking on the moon.”

The prestigious Arthur S. Fleming Award is administered by George Washington University, along with members from the private sector and the President of the United States. Ms. Thomas is set to officially receive her award in November. This recognition not only underscores her individual accomplishments but also highlights the significant contributions of Virgin Islanders to national and international affairs.