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The public are advised that the scheduled closures of Longwood Road and Upper Side Path will not take place today, 17 February 2026, due to current inclement weather conditions.

Weather permitting, the closure of the stretch between Longwood Gate and Hutts Gate  will now proceed tomorrow, Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

The closure between the Briars, Side Path, Constitution Road junction and Button-up Corner (Heart-Shaped Viewpoint bus shelter)  has been rescheduled for Thursday, 19  February 2026. This adjustment will allow residents of Alarm Forest, Levelwood, and Longwood districts to collect any cargo using the normal route.

SHG

17 February 2026

Due to flight operations on Tuesday 17 February 2026, the HM Customs and Immigration Office at Liberation House, Ruperts, advises the public of the following service changes:

The department is unable to offer Immigration services, however the office will be open to the public again from Wednesday 18 February 2026.

For enquiries, please contact the HM Customs and Immigration Department at cienquiries@sainthelena.gov.sh or 22287.

The public are advised that the scheduled closures of Longwood Road and Side Path Road will not take place today, 16 February 2026, due to current inclement weather conditions.

Weather permitting, the closure of the stretch between Longwood Gate and Hutts Gate  will now proceed tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

The closure between the Briars, Side Path, Constitution Road junction and Button-up Corner (Heart-Shaped Viewpoint bus shelter)  has been rescheduled for Wednesday, 18 February 2026. This adjustment will allow residents of Alarm Forest, Levelwood, and Longwood districts to collect any cargo using the normal route.

SHG

16 February 2026

St Helena is likely to experience a north-westerly swell from Saturday, 14 February 2026, resulting in unsettling sea conditions in both James and Rupert’s Bay.

Boat owners are advised to ensure their vessels are securely moored during this period.

Swimmers should exercise extreme caution when entering the water in James and Rupert’s Bay and refrain from using life rings and other lifesaving equipment for recreational swimming.

Vehicle owners are advised to avoid parking near the rails on the seafront and individuals are asked to use caution when in close proximity to the railings due to the potential risk of wave overspray and associated hazards.

The Emergency Planning Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary.

SHG

13 February 2026

The Captain of the MV Karoline, together with Port Control, assessed sea conditions this morning, 12 February 2026.

The MV Karoline has now safely berthed alongside Rupert’s Jetty to begin offloading cargo for the island. All personnel involved in the offloading operation are working diligently to ensure that goods are distributed and available in shops as soon as possible.

The public are thanked for their understanding and cooperation during this time.

SHG

12 February 2026

The Azamara Journey cruise ship arrived today, and passengers were successfully brought ashore via Ruperts. The decision to use Rupert’s Jetty for passengers was  made by the Captain of the Azamara Journey.

At the same time, the MV Karoline is in harbour. However, no cargo operations are proceeding currently due to the Captain of the MV Karoline’s decision not to bring the MV Karoline alongside due to sea conditions. 

Whilst the Azamara Journey and MV Karoline are both anchored in the same general area, the processes for accessing Ruperts jetty are very different.

Cruise ship passengers are transferred using small tenders that can manoeuvre better in varying sea conditions.  In contrast, the MV Karoline must come fully alongside the jetty to discharge cargo safely. Berthing a cargo vessel requires specific sea and swell conditions to ensure the safety of crew, port staff, and equipment, as well as to prevent damage to the vessel or infrastructure.

The Captain of the MV Karoline and Port Control have advised that sea conditions will be reassessed on Thursday, 12 February 2026 to determine whether it is safe for the vessel to berth and commence offloading.

Safety remains the overriding priority in all maritime operations. The public are thanked for their patience and understanding.

St Helena is currently experiencing very dry conditions, which increases the risk of fires across the island.

As with any prolonged dry period, the community is asked to take extra care and avoid activities that could increase the risk of accidental fires. Simple precautions can make a significant difference in helping to keep people, property, and the natural environment safe.

At this time, due to the situation at the airport, the St Helena Fire and Rescue Service will provide fire cover at the airport only when flights are in operation, ensuring aviation safety requirements are met without impacting on-island response capability.

We thank the community for its continued vigilance and cooperation. Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play in protecting St Helena.

SHG

10 February 2026

The cruise ship Azamara Journey will arrive in St Helena on Wednesday morning, 11 February 2026. There are approximately 663 passengers and approximately 388 crew on-board.

Approximately 208 passengers are booked on island tours. Tours will depart at 09:00 from Jamestown Wharf.

It is expected that the passengers will carry the following currencies: GBP, US Dollars, and Euros. Currency rate of exchange information is available from the Bank of St Helena and the Tourist Office.

There is a wide range of nationalities on-board, with the main nationalities being British, American & Canadian. The Azamara Journey will depart St Helena around 18:00.

Temporary One-way Traffic System

The public are advised that a temporary one-way system will be in place in the direction of Gordons Post to Hutts Gate along Tomb Road on Wednesday, 11 February 2026,  from 09:00 to 15:00.

Traffic wishing to travel in the opposite direction will be diverted from Hutts Gate to Gordons Post via The Dungeon, as per the map below:

The one-way system has been put in place to safely manage traffic and ease congestion, given the anticipated increase in vehicle volumes due to the visit of the Azamara Journey cruise ship. This is the same process as has been put in place in previous years, and for the last cruise ship visit, and is likely to also be a feature during future cruise ship visits.

SHG

10 February 2026

The public are advised that the Jamestown Wharf will be closed to all members of the public from 06:00 on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, due to the arrival of the cruise ship MV Azamara Journey. Any closure will be weather dependent and based on the sea conditions on the day.

The Jamestown Wharf will remain closed until the vessel has departed.

Access to the Jamestown Wharf will be strictly prohibited and will be limited only to those who have made prior arrangements with Port Control.

Boat owners are further advised that no maintenance works will be permitted on the Wharf during this period.

Port Control thanks the public for their cooperation during this time.

St Helena is still experiencing a north-westerly swell, resulting in unsettled sea conditions in both James and Rupert’s Bay.

Boat owners are advised to ensure their vessels are securely moored during this period.

Rupert’s Beach and the Jetty are now open, but the public are advised to exercise caution in these areas. Swimmers should exercise extreme caution when entering the water in James and Rupert’s Bay and refrain from using life rings and other lifesaving equipment for recreational swimming.

Vehicle owners are advised to avoid parking near the rails on the seafront and individuals are asked to use caution when in close proximity to the railings due to the potential risk of wave overspray and associated hazards.

The Emergency Planning Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary.