Last updated: July 23, 2019
The famous (infamous?) floating bar has a new home after sustaining damage following Hurricane Irma last year. The Willy T will settle in Peter Island soon.
“We are pretty well confirmed to be definitely moving. We are not going to be in The Bight [but] at Great Harbour on Peter Island,” said Willy T owner, Ewan Anderson.
He made the announcement following a meeting with the government on May 14th.
Anderson told BVI News that things are still being fine-tuned for the final move. Anderson also expressed relief.
“It will be ok. It’s another location, it’s on the water, and it’s good for tourism — good for Great Harbour. We are happy that we can move somewhere as opposed to closing down the business. So, yes, we are happy and the government is helping us to avail that situation,” he added.
Anderson then described his discussions with the government as ‘helpful’ and that Willy T’s required permits are now being processed in order to resume operations.
Southern Boating for one, is happy the legendary boat found a new home. Who among us hasn’t traveled to the islands, had a little too much fun at Willy T’s and fallen asleep on an aft deck cleat? Or woken up to find their hair replaced with a banana peel? Oh, just us…
A brief history of the Willy T:
The first Willy T was located in the southwest corner of The Bight. This always popular “bistro on the briny” can take credit for at least some of the popularity of the anchorage.
Established in June 1989 by Mick and Annie Gardner, this one-of-a-kind restaurant has remained in the family and is now operated by Mick and Annie’s son-in-law, Ewan Anderson.
The original (wooden) Willy T was a 1935, Baltic Trader. After a little more than 6 years of restaurant service, she sprung a leak in the middle of the night. The bilge pumps weren’t able to keep up with the volume of water and the original William Thornton sank on her mooring on June 11, 1995.
She was subsequently raised, hauled out to sea and sunk again in the hopes of making a new dive site. Unfortunately, weather conditions quickly tore her apart and there is nothing left of the old William Thornton today.
But you can’t keep a good man down! Mick and Ewan jumped on a plane for Florida to find a replacement. The 100′, steel hulled replacement was soon swinging on her mooring and open for business by January 6th, 1996 where she remained until September 2017.
And now the legend continues.
Anyone else “won” a T-shirt by jumping naked off the upper deck of the Willie T?
Oh, the 2nd Willie T was redone in Ft Lauderdale from a steel Cargo Schooner in ’95. by Oliver Jones. We worked with Oliver, Orkie, and fellow Pirates who took our business cards, burned the edges and laminated them in the Bar top, we all had our own places at the bar. That Willie T had a good 20 year run….boy if it could talk…