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Over the past weekend, a large shark was reportedly sighted inshore, specifically along the leeward/northern side of the island.
Marine Enforcement is investigating these reports though no further sightings have been reported since Friday, 22 August 2025. As a precautionary measure, we ask everyone to be extra careful and vigilant when in or near the water.
Here is some important guidance:
- For swimmers: We strongly advise swimmers to stay out of the water, including at James and Rupert’s Bays, until our investigation is complete and a new update is released.
- For mariners and fishermen: Please remain vigilant and report any sightings to Marine Enforcement immediately. Marine Compliance and Enforcement Officer, Kelly Jonas, can be contacted by telephone on 25947 or via email through Kelly.jonas@sainthelena.gov.sh. Be cautious when operating your vessels and avoid close contact with any marine life.
- For everyone: If a shark is spotted, do not approach or interact with it. Instead, please observe from a safe distance and report the details (location, time, and estimated size) to Marine Enforcement or Port Control. Harbour Master, Simon Lee, can be contacted by telephone on 22750 or via email through simon.lee@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Fishers and members of the public are encouraged to discard of fish waste in a responsible manner. For rock fishers, this means ensuring waste is taken and disposed of in a bin inland. For boat fishers, this means discarding fish waste at sea, at least one mile out from the shore.
Discarding fish waste close to the coast can encourage sharks to come closer to the shore to feed on the waste. Where this is done near popular and accessible areas such as James Bay and Rupert’s Bay, it can affect the enjoyment and potentially the safety of recreational activities such as swimming, snorkelling and diving.
The safety of our community is our highest priority, and we will provide further updates as soon as more information is available.
Strong winds are forecast across the island from Monday 25 August 2025 with a risk of these bringing some disruption. The forecasted south easterly winds bring occasional gusts reaching 25-30 KT, with an additional risk of isolated gusts peaking 35-40 KT in exposed areas such as Levelwood, Sandy Bay, Blue Hill and potentially Longwood.
Care should be taken if out walking or hiking, and it would be advisable to secure any loose items which may blow away, such as wheelie bins. Boat owners should ensure their vessels are securely tied to their moorings. Motorists are also advised to look out for loose debris on roads.
Following the successful completion of resurfacing work, the Roads Section is pleased to announce that Ladder Hill Road will reopen on Monday, 18 August 2025, at 07:00.
This project, which has significantly improved the road’s condition, was made possible with funding from the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP).
We thank the public for their patience and cooperation during this essential maintenance work.
Thanks are also extended to the Roads Section for their efforts and dedication in getting this projected completed in good time.
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With the reopening of Ladder Hill Road, the Public Transport Service (PTS) will return to its original timetable. Please note, however, that a few minor amendments have been made to improve efficiency.
The following changes will take effect immediately:
- Route 2 – Levelwood: The bus that previously departed Bellstone at 13:34 and 19:27 will now depart five minutes earlier, at 13:29 and 19:22, seven days a week. This means all stops along this route will have a slightly earlier pickup time. The bus will now connect with Route 1 at Hutts Gate at 13:45 and 19:45 for passengers traveling to Jamestown.
- Route 4: The bus departing from Sandy Bay Chapel on Saturdays and the last Friday of each month will now leave at an earlier time of 08:50. Additionally, there will now be a bus changeover at the Half Tree Hollow Salvation Army Hall for journeys to and from Jamestown on certain days. Please consult the new timetables for full details on these connections.
All changes can be viewed in the revised timetables on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/public-services/publictransportservice/.
The public are thanked for their understanding as we work to make these services more efficient for everyone.
The public are advised that tree topping work at the Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) Playground will commence on Sunday, 17 August 2025 and is expected to finish on Friday, 29 August 2025. This work, is a collaboration between the Properties Division and the Forestry Section and is a continuation of the project approved by the Land Development Control Authority in 2021.
Tree topping will reduce the height and spread of the tree canopies to a manageable size in order to lower the risk of property damage and personal injury to those who live, work, or use the area.
Work Schedule and Road Closures
During this period, the road from Seales Corner to the Rose & Crown Store junction will be closed to vehicles from 09:00 to 15:00 daily.
- Vehicle Diversion: Drivers should use the diversion route at Seales Corner to get into and out of lower Jamestown.
- Pedestrian Access: Pedestrian access will not be permitted through the DoE Playground and the public toilets will be closed for the duration of the works.
On-site staff will be present to guide the public safely through the working area when safe to do so.
Please note that work will not take place on Saturday, 23 August, and the public holiday on Monday, 25 August. We will keep you informed of any other changes to this schedule.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to make the area safer.
The public are advised that the Highway Authority has approved the closure of the road from Lemon Tree Gut to the Junction in Sandy Bay. This closure is currently in effect and will remain in place until Friday, 15 August 2025.
The road will be closed each day from 09:00 to 15:30 to allow the Forestry Section to fell a number of trees bordering the road that pose a risk to public safety.
No access will be permitted to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, including emergency service vehicles, during the closure. The public should use the diversion route across Sandy Bay Ridge.
The public are thanked for their cooperation during this closure.
SHG
12 August 2025
SHG is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Ceri Morgan as the new Director of Education, Skills and Employment. Mr Morgan arrived on the island in July, succeeding Marie Horton, who has completed her contract and returned to the UK.
Mr Morgan brings a wealth of experience to the role, with a background in education and skills development from his work in UK schools, the Department for Education, and various international assignments. He is eager to build on the excellent work already underway and continue to progress the education improvement journey on St Helena.
We extend a warm welcome to Ceri as he settles into the community.
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Ceri Morgan
The MV Karoline is scheduled to arrive at James Bay on Monday 4August 2025 at 07:00. Weather permitting the vessel will dock alongside Rupert’s Jetty and cargo operations will commence as soon as practical.
The public are therefore advised that the Port of Jamestown and whole of Lower Ruperts including the beach area, will be closed from 06:00 on Monday 4 August 2025, until all cargo operations are completed.
These areas will be strictly prohibited and access will be limited to those who have made prior arrangements with St Helena Port Control.
Boat owners and operators are advised that mooring on the ‘span’ mooring rope near the landing steps at the Jamestown Wharf is prohibited for the duration of cargo operations.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and co-operation.
SHG
01 August 2025
Waste Management Services (WMS) is announcing temporary adjustments to waste collection schedules for businesses in Jamestown during the closure of Ladder Hill Road.
Effective on Monday, 4 August 2025, and for the duration of the road closure, commercial waste collection in Jamestown will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only. There will be no commercial waste collection on Sundays.
Domestic waste collection schedules will remain unchanged.
WMS reminds all businesses and residents to ensure their bins are placed out for collection by 06:00 on their scheduled collection day. Bins not present by this time may not be collected.
Normal waste collection services will resume for all customers once Ladder Hill Road reopens.
WMS thanks the public in advance for their cooperation and understanding during this period.
The Roads Section is pleased to announce that they have received the replacement consignment of bitumen and after initial testing found the product suitable.
Therefore, weather permitting, the closure of Ladder Hill road will go ahead as planned from 09:00 Monday, 04 August to 15:30 on Friday, 22 August 2025.
Emergency services and public transport will also be affected. All vehicles needing to travel in and out of Jamestown during this time must travel via Side Path or Constitution Hill Road. Suitable road closure signage will be in place.
Please note that Jacobs Ladder will remain accessible, including the halfway path connecting to Shy Road.
Car-sharing is encouraged to reduce the cost of travel.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and understanding during these important works.
SHG
31 July 2025
http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh