Safety deficiencies found at Virgin Islands airports

FAA has proposed a $1,466,775 civil penalty for alleged violations at two airports.    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $1,466,775 civil penalty against the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) for alleged violations of airport safety regulations at both Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix and Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas.
   The FAA inspected both airports earlier this year and reportedly discovered numerous violations. 
   Specifically, the agency alleges that VIPA did not have qualified personnel overseeing airport operations, conducting required daily inspections or carrying out airport rescue and firefighting operations. The FAA also reportedly found a lack of required training records and emergency plans.
  In addition, the FAA alleges that VIPA did not meet the rescue and firefighting requirements for air carrier flights at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport after a firefighting unit could not apply a fire-extinguishing agent within the required time.
   Lastly, the FAA found dangerous ruts, humps and depressions in the runway surfaces and places where there was improper lighting and signage for air carriers, according to investigators.