Provisions have been made for the residents of the sister islands to pay their last respects at the lying in state and the State Funeral of Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE Member Emeritus.

On Monday, December 9 and Tuesday, December 10, the chartered vessel Sea Express 1 will depart Anegada at 8:00 a.m. for Virgin Gorda. The vessel will then leave Virgin Gorda at 9:30 a.m. for Road Town, Tortola returning at 4:00 p.m.

The New Horizon vessel will leave Jost Van Dyke at 9:00 a.m. bound for West End, Tortola where ground transportation will be provided to the House of Assembly Hall for the viewing. The vessel will return to Jost Van Dyke at 4:00 p.m.

Viewing will only take place on December 9 and 10, as the casket will be closed on the day of the funeral. The public is advised that taking photographs will not be allowed in the hall while the viewing is in progress.

On Wednesday, December 11, the State Funeral of Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE Member Emeritus will be held. A funeral procession will commence from the Honourable Ralph O’Neal Administration Complex at 9:00 a.m. on route to the Multipurpose Sports Complex where the ceremony will be held.                   

On this day, the vessel Sea Express 1 will depart Anegada at 7:00 a.m. for Virgin Gorda. Sea Express 1 and Speedy’s Ferry will then leave Virgin Gorda at 8:00 a.m. for Road Town, Tortola.

The New Horizon vessel will leave Jost Van Dyke at 7:00 a.m. bound for West End, Tortola where ground transportation will be provided to the funeral procession onward.

Sea Express 1, Sea Express 2, and Speedy’s Ferry will depart Road Town for Virgin Gorda at 1:30 p.m. after the funeral for the burial. After the burial, Sea Express 1 will depart Virgin Gorda for Anegada at 4:00 p.m. Speedy’s and Sea Express 2 will depart Virgin Gorda for Road Town, Tortola at 4:00 p.m. Jost Van Dyke residents will be transported by ground to West End for departure to Jost Van Dyke at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 11 has been designated as a public holiday in the Virgin Islands in observance of the State Funeral and burial for the late Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE Member Emeritus. The holiday will allow for a national day of mourning and for the public to attend and participate in all aspects of the State Funeral.