The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reviewing two separate applications for floating taco bars operated by Lime Out LLC on St. John and St. Thomas.
The first application –– SAJ-2019-02391(SP-KMU)CESAJ-RD-SA ––pertains to the Lime Out 1, a wildly successful destination for boaters that has been operating in Coral Bay since 2020. This application can be reviewed here.
The second application ––SAJ-2023-00411(SP-KMU)CESAJ-RD-SA –– is for Lime Out 2, a similar taco bar proposed for Lindbergh Bay on St. Thomas. That application can be reviewed here.
Lime Out 1 underwent intense scrutiny when it first opened in Limetree Cove within Round Bay on the East End of St. John in 2019. The quiet anchorage was suddenly inundated with boats and even seaplanes, leading to complaints from nearby residents. Within weeks, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources withdrew the operators’ anchoring permit.
The restaurant relocated to a designated anchorage in Coral Bay in February 2020 but was soon closed because of COVID-19 restrictions. It reopened several months later and, since then, attracted national attention in most major travel publications and on social media.
“People would tell me that when a family member came to the island, they’d say, ‘The one thing I want to do is go to the taco boat,’” said Richard Baranowski, who co-owns Lime out with his wife Chelsea, Dylan Buchalter, and Dane and Val Tarr, all of whom were raised on St. John. Angelo Raimondi, who was raised on St. John but now resides on St. Thomas, is joining them in the partnership for Lime Out 2.
Baranowski said the Coastal Zone Commission on St. Thomas will hold a public hearing on Lime Out 2 within a few weeks. The exact date has not been officially announced.
According to the USACE application, “Lime Out 2 would be a 53-foot (ft) long x 20-ft wide (1,060 ft²) floating barge with a 2-ft draft. It would be anchored with four helix anchor mooring systems and floated lines and mid-line buoys. The applicant also proposes to install 10-day use moorings to minimize anchoring by restaurant patrons and other boaters. All moorings will have floated lines, mid-line floats, and helix anchors.”
Back in 2019, the owners allowed customers to swim up to the taco bar or approach by kayak, but for safety reasons, they soon required that customers approach on a boat with a captain. Patrons are now invited to quaff craft cocktails and munch tacos while seated in the water on 12 floating “lily pad” seating pods. Several small boat companies provide shuttle service from the shoreline in Coral Bay.
Lime Out 2 will also offer floating seating pods. The owners are now working with cruise ship companies and local tour operators to provide access once permitting and final construction details are completed. The hull has been ordered and is due on island soon.
Neither Lime Out 1 nor 2 is technically a vessel. Neither has an engine and must be towed to land if a major storm approaches. Lime Out 1 has a trailer and is stored on shore in Coral Bay. Lime Out 2, which is slightly larger, will be hauled by a crane and stored on the V.I. Port Authority Dock, according to Baranowski.
Baranowski said the process for applying for a USACE permit for Lime Out 1 began a couple of years ago and environmental impact studies have been completed. The studies for Lime Out 2 are moving forward, he said.
Permitting for floating restaurants and bars lies in a “somewhat gray area,” according to Baranowski, because there are currently no specific regulations in the territory beyond the ones for anchoring and moorings. However federal laws do apply, and the Army Corps relies on reports by numerous federal agencies which have oversight of environmental issues.
Lindbergh Bay, the site for Lime Out 2, is a recreation area that includes a water playground. Anchoring is not allowed because of submerged power lines, but the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association has installed five moorings. The taco bar will be moored about 1,100 feet offshore from the Emerald Beach Resort which will offer shuttle service.
Members of the public have until Friday to submit comments, questions, or request a public hearing by emailing karen.m.urelius@usace.army.mil. Questions can also be directed to Project Manager Karen Urelius at (787) 370-8359.
