Coast Guard

My son is in the USCG stationed in FLA.

Current assets are spread thin after Texas and many units throughout the southeast have been diverted to affected areas.

PR has the largest USCG base in the Caribbean. The usual protocol is to pull back, save equipment and assets, then be the first back in as the storm moves out.

They removed families so the Guardsmen can concentrate on their mission.

We need boots on ground immediately..I saw pictures of smiling faces boarding CG planes, something the overwhelming majority of Virgin Islanders cannot do.

They may be remembering the 110' USCG vessel up on the waterfront highway downtown and making plans accordingly.
Evacuating family is important - having to take care of other obligations diverts energy any USCG member has to offer.
There is very little the USCG can do during a major storm to help out on the water - they do amazing rescue work, risking life and limb and are prepared for it - there are a lot more resources available to them based in Puerto Rico.

Exit Zero - my dad was a "Coastie" - as you say, there is very little that they can do during a storm of this magnitude. And, their resources are in PR. They will return to the VI and do what is necessary...when they are able...