Lesson learnt | Willy T ready to move if hurricane hits

With the 2017 hurricanes still fresh in their minds, the owners of the Willy T floating bar and restaurant said they are ready to sail away to safer shores in the event of a major hurricane this year.

Sean Anderson, Assistant Manager at the establishment, told BVI News they have already begun firing up the engines and fine-tuning their disaster plan.

“We have to be prepared for anything … We are ready, we are not messing around,” said Anderson, who is also the boat’s captain said.

“The last one there is nothing we could have done,” he said;  referring to the old Willy T vessel which Hurricane Irma destroyed while it was moored at its former location, near The Bight on Norman Island.

He said the boat never moved in the near-25 years it was operating there and, as such, its engine rusted and was removed.

“They [engines] need to be used. That’s why we kept these running. It (the prior one) was just a barge [but] this one is more of a working ship and we are going to leave it that way so if we have to go, we can go. It all depends on the storm and the strength.”

Anderson said he is closely monitoring the weather system known as Isaac, which became a hurricane hours ago and will potentially affect the territory.

He said one of their options includes relocating to one of the safer harbours on Tortola.

Business is good

Anderson, in the meantime, said business has been good since the company’s move to Great Harbour on Peter Island in May.

“As far as we can tell, it (the relocation) hasn’t changed anything. We have been pretty busy considering it’s the offseason – we are still doing a lot of dinners and lunches. It (relocating) was a pain in the butt, but I don’t think it hurt us that much. So far, I think the spot is pretty good,” he said.