May 6, 2009 – After more than 20 years in St. Thomas waters, the Atlantis Submarine will close the hatch for the last time May 31.
The popular Atlantis Adventure tours has taken thousands of visitors, as well as locals and school children, 80 feet down for a look at the fish, coral, the marine life under the pristine blue waters.
Over the years, it has been a staple of the islands' tour attractions, highly recommended by cruise ships and local hotels.
Gary Cram, Atlantis general manager, said the decision to leave was economic.
"The primary reason is we couldn't make any money," he said this week. "There's more tours now than there were when we started, and we have very high overhead. With the drop in visitors, it's just no longer economically viable."
He said the closing will put 25 people out of work.
The company's V.I. Economic Development Commission tax benefits expired July last year. Cram said that was "part of the puzzle," as well. He did not apply for benefits this year because legislation passed last year bars water taxis, water tours and water craft from getting the tax breaks.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. vetoed the legislation but the Senate overrode his veto.
The governor said the legislation would have a deleterious affect on promoting water sports. He said, in part: "Our waters are one of the Virgin Islands’ most precious natural resources and an integral part of our tourism product. There are challenges we face daily on the appropriate balance between preservation of these resources and their use as an integral component of our economic activity. Therefore, a blanket prohibition as exhibited in this legislation is counter-productive."
That same legislation played a part in the closing of Pirates Harbour Tours last month, which sold the adventure to cruise ship passengers. It had a happy, if short life in local waters. (See: "The Pirates Have Left the Harbor.")
The decision to leave follows months of trying to find another option. Cram notified the government several months ago of the company's intent to cease operations on St. Thomas.
He said the company will continue to operate the tours in other destinations – Barbados, Hawaii, Grand Cayman, Aruba, Guam and Cozumel –where they remain more economically viable. The submarine will find work in other waters, Cram said, but he doesn't yet know where.
Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty said in a release, "We're disappointed to learn that Atlantis has decided to discontinue its St. Thomas operation after 24 years."
Allegra Kean-Moorhead, Tourism director of communications, said the EDC, the West Indian Company, the Hotel and Tourism Association and the Tourism department "have conducted several discussions specifically to address Atlantis Adventures concern related to the St. Thomas operation."
Cram said the company will still conduct its Catamaran tours, which he said are doing well.
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