A statement from the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board...

Contact:
Russell Harrigan
BVI Tourist Board Director
Tel: 809-494-3134

Tammy Peters
BVI Press Office
Tel: 212-885-3966


BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS SURVIVES
HURRICANE MARILYN’S DESTRUCTION

Road Town, Tortola, BVI, September 19, 1995...Despite the unfortunate damages
suffered by neighboring US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands Tourist
Board reports that hurricane Marilyn left only damages to roadways and
landscaping in the territory.  “Again, we were very lucky to have narrowly
escaped the brunt of yet another major hurricane,” states BVI Chief Minister
and Minister of Tourism, Ralph T. O’Neal.  “The airport has been operating
for the past two days, American Eagle has resumed flights to and from San
Juan, power was restored as early as Sunday to hotels, resorts and
residences.  We are still very much in business.  Guests are staying to
continue their vacations, bookings for upcoming weeks are being made, a
cruise ship was in port yesterday and others are arriving as planned later
this week.”

The center of the storm passed just southwest of British Virgin Islands
territory before veering northward.  Hotels and resorts on the island of
Tortola and Virgin Gorda experienced minor water and landscape damage, and
little to no structural damage.  According to the latest report, all Tortola
properties are open with the exception of Beef Island Guest House which will
reopen October 3rd, and Elizabeth Beach Resort, which will open by October
1st.

On Virgin Gorda, the hurricane’s effects were felt even less.  “Marilyn was
actually beneficial to us,” reports on Virgin Gorda property owner.  “The
salt and sand damage we had from hurricane Luis was washed away by the rains
of Marilyn.” All Virgin Gorda properties available for comment reported that
they are currently open except for Bitter End Yacht Club, which will re-open
no later than October 6th after minor landscape refurbishment and dock
repairs are completed.

Other British Virgin Islands reported that damages resulting from Marilyn
were fewer than those from hurricane Luis the days before.  Anegada Reef
Hotel and Necker Island will re-open in October as planned prior to Marilyn’s
arrival.  Peter Island will be re-opening no later than December 1st, after
beach and landscape refurbishment is complete.  Guana Island and Drakes
Anchorage on Mosquito Island were closed for the month of September and will
re-open October 1st as originally scheduled.

Marinas throughout the British Virgin Islands remain intact with minimal dock
damages.  Crewed charter yachts and hare boat companies faired extremely well
and are reporting few, if any, boat losses.  Major charter companies such as
The Moorings are fully operational and report that sailing conditions and
beaches are calm and back to normal.

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