is my foggy memory telling me I remember hearing sometime ago that the Willy T burned down? Going to BVI in May and just wondering if that would be a stop anymore?

Nope, it's still there and going strong. You're probably thinking of Pirates.

But even Pirates is rebuilt. So nothing to worry about. Just remember your memory will be even foggier after doing some shotskis at Willy T.

The other good news is they took the bars off the second floor so you can jump safely again!

Watch your bar tab at " Pirates"..very expensive drinks and they add a service charge at the bar..the Willy T , on the other hand , is very reasonable..

You are correct - the "original" Willy T burned but fear not, a replacement has been provided.

As I recall, the original Willy T was made of wood, and became quite 'leaky' in her old age. Seeing the handwriting on the wall, the owners stripped her, 'cleansed' her and scuttled her near Great Harbor...close to Fearless.

I dove the original WillyT on many occasions including last Nov. I don't think she was sunk on purpose. To much equipment including ovens were left onboard. I heard she simple sank on her own while being towed over to Tortola for overhaul. The Fearless is still looking good and is a underrated dive when the N Swell takes out most of the good dives or the winds are up.
G

Was the original vessel named the "EMMA LIS" before becoming the William Thornton?

George - Could you provide the location of the old Willy T dive site?

Rick

It's at N1821.845W06435.289
It normally has a large yellow ball on it and is in front of Great Harbor off Peter Island. I am guessing it's about 600 yards out and is the Eastern ball. The Western ball about 400 yards away is the Rhone anchor.
The ball is in about 40 feet of water. Go down the ball and head toward great harbor. You will come to about a 40 foot drop with a sand bottom. The Fearless sits about 50 feet out from the drop. You would make a turn west along the drop off to find the old WillyT from the Fearless It's really just a collection of scattered wreckage with the freezers and ovens mixed in. The Fearless is still intact and much more interesting. It's a easy one tank dive to see both.
George

Thanks George.

Rick