Breakdowns ‘natural’ between BVI and USVI

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has firmly defended the BVI’s decision to increase fees for United States Virgin Islands (USVI) charter boats operating in its waters, arguing that the changes are necessary for economic fairness.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Wheatley rejected USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s recent call for tariffs on imports from the BVI and a transit fee for passengers travelling through the US territory.

“I was surprised at the tactic of tariffs,” Dr Wheatley said. “I think it would be much better for us to have dialogue than to threaten with the use of tariffs.”

He added that breakdowns are normal between the two countries. “Every now and again, we have a little issue pop up between the USVI and BVI. That’s natural in any relationship,” the Premier said. “No relationship is without its challenges or without its disagreements sometimes. So I think the important thing is that we all remain committed to dialogue and committed to our friendship.”

Economic disparities  

Premier Wheatley outlined the longstanding economic imbalance between the territories, particularly in the maritime sector. USVI-based charter vessels frequently operate in BVI waters, benefitting from the territory’s beaches, marine attractions, and fishing grounds. However, he said, fees for foreign commercial vessels have remained unchanged since 1992.

“These are natural resources. This is like our gold or our oil,” Dr Wheatley asserted. “I think the USVI officials have to understand that you have to pay a little more than $200 for an annual license when you’re literally making hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

The Premier argued that the proposed fee adjustments are reasonable, given that the USVI charter industry generates close to $100 million annually.

“To be honest with you, I find it somewhat insulting that their boaters would not see that they should contribute a little more to the Virgin Islands,” he said. “To be able to access our natural resources and to be able to make a good livelihood for themselves. The Virgin Islands, the BVI, deserves to get something more out of the deal, I would say.”

The amendments to the BVI’s Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing (CRVL) Act propose increasing the annual fee for overnight charter operators from $400 to $24,000, while day sail operators would see fees rise from $200 to $12,500, according to local reports.

A call for dialogue  

Premier Wheatley said he had previously shared details of the proposed amendments with Governor Bryan and the USVI charter industry but was caught off guard by Bryan’s request for an emergency session in the USVI legislature to consider tariffs against the BVI.

“My humble admonition to the United States Virgin Islands would be, we don’t need to continue going down that particular road,” he said. “We are open to dialogue.”

Dr Wheatley has since invited Bryan and members of the USVI Legislature to Tortola for discussions. “I’d be more than happy to discuss the issue in greater detail with Governor Bryan, who I genuinely consider a friend,” Dr Wheatley said.

Despite the escalating rhetoric, Dr Wheatley maintained that both territories share deep economic and familial ties that must be preserved.

“The USVI and BVI are family,” he said. “We have a mutual interest in both sides doing well economically, and we are committed to that.”

Retaliatory measures on the table  

Meanwhile, Bryan has argued that the BVI’s fee hikes could negatively impact the USVI economy and has proposed countermeasures, including tariffs of up to 25% on imports from the BVI and new fees for non-residents transiting through the USVI.

Dr Wheatley dismissed such measures as unnecessary and counterproductive. “We are literally one people,” he said. “Any action taken to hurt the BVI hurts the USVI. Any action the BVI takes to hurt the USVI hurts the BVI.”