Marriott sent a boat to rescue guests trapped on St. Thomas, but left many other tourists - including 'kids and elderly people'- stranded
St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands was one of many islands to suffer significant damage from the historic storm.
"St. Thomas and St. John are pretty devastated," Rep. Stacey Plaskett, the Virgin Islands' delegate to Congress, told USA TODAY. The island's only hospital was crippled, and its airport was forced to close.
On Friday, it seemed that the already-battered island might have to brace for impact from another storm, Hurricane Jose, which would eventually turn to avoid the area.
According to the Washington Post, Marriott International chartered a large boat to rescue people who had been left behind on the island. But, it turns out, only people who had been staying at one of Marriott's properties would be allowed to board the boat, which was heading to Puerto Rico.
The rule was reportedly enforced on the dock in St. Thomas, meaning that many tourists were left behind on Friday. Eyewitnesses said they could see that many seats were available onboard.
Professional storm chaser Cody Howard told the Washington Post: "It was really hard to see people with kids and elderly people who don't have anywhere to stay get turned away by this boat … For some people, that was the only [glimmer] of hope. After the boat left, they just felt hopeless and helpless."
There are three Marriott hotels on St. Thomas: The Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, Marriott's Frenchman's Cove, and the The Ritz-Carlton, as well as the Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa on nearby St. Croix.
Marriott provided this statement to the Washington Post:
Three US Navy vessels were sent to provide aid to the US Virgin Islands, and at least 1,900 people had been evacuated, according to a statement released by the Pentagon on Monday. Royal Caribbean also announced Sunday that it would be sending cruise ships to rescue people on St. Thomas and St. Martin.