BVI News

BVI to set up help desk at USVI seaport as number of arrivals grow

With the BVI’s Road Town-based seaport now reopened to international traffic, the government has announced plans to set up a passenger support station at port facilities in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands.

Premier Andrew Fahie made that announcement while giving an update on the seaport’s operations since the April 15 reopening.

He said: “A help desk … in the ferry terminal area of Charlotte Amalie is being worked on and will be brought to fruition to assist our travellers to the BVI with a seamless experience.”

He said the Port Authority has also implemented a sophisticated monitoring system that helps to “ensure the continued safety of the residents of the British Virgin Islands while maintaining optimal traveller experience”.

Close to 300 arrivals since reopening

And while describing the April 15 reopening of the seaport as a resounding success, Premier Andrew said more than 279 persons have entered through the port so far.

By BVI News’ tally, this represents an approximate average of two dozen passengers arriving via seaport daily.

Premier Fahie said the “numbers are growing” every day and account for both residents and visitors.

“Like everything new, there were and still are teething pains but they continue to be worked out and daily experiences at the Road Town jetty are improving,” Fahie stated.

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28 Comments

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  1. Sucess says:

    This “resounding success” statement explains a lot on how high and how urgently the Gov addressing the crisis.

    If this is success, I don’t dare asking how failure looking like…

    BTW trave Iginla bvi to usvi is not part of success matrix. Count only tourists

    Like 10
    Dislike 8
    • Hottie says:

      Can we have BVI customs and immigration in STT, so that we clear before we leave and are free to go when we arrive in the BVI (after covid has gone)

      Like 10
      Dislike 3
      • Hilda says:

        Where else do you receive the privilege of clearing in a different country to your destination. People really expect a lot out of the BVI.

        That service will come at a cost and I bet people will not want to pay for it, but US Customs and Immigration do not work for free.

        Like 4
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        • Liston says:

          @ hilda
          For your information Hilda, third country immigration clearing is done all over the world and is NORMAL in the rest of the world

          Like 12
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        • actually says:

          they do this traveling from canada to the us. us customs in canada

          Like 10
        • Possible says:

          They do it in Canada. You clear US immigration and customs in Canada. So you can just get off the plane

        • That's laughable. says:

          Trust me, when it comes to immigration services offered by the BVI, NO ONE expects anything. The employees are rude, slow and disinterested in making the process seamless. The only reason they’re there is to stamp and collect taxes. A kiosk could do their jobs with more joy.

        • Bermuda says:

          Bermuda has US immigration officers there. They clear you in Bermuda and once you board the plane, you are in US territory. I had a chat with one of them. She has been to the BVI a few times and loved it (at least that’s what she said)

          She was delighted to paid by USA but not having to work there (she was white).

      • Pre-clearance says:

        This practice is common all over the world even in St. Thomas. Once you go through US Immigration, Customs and the TSA inspection at Cyril King airport you are considered to be a domestic traveler that can get off the plane at your US destination to go wherever you want!

        Like 3
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      • People says:

        We have to commend the Government for their efforts. There are more of us with them than against.

        Like 1
        Dislike 1
  2. WTF? says:

    “To set up..”????????????????

    We knew there were plans to open the Seaports since December and now we are still trying to plan things? I shouldn’t be surprised anyway.

    Like 13
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    • Haring says:

      279 people in two weeks! Holy s**t ! How are we ever going to cope? This place already full, now we have to find room for this influx. It’s almost biblical.

      • Embarrasing says:

        279 people in a world class sailing destination?

        LOL, you guys need to fire that clown – he has and continues to botch the re-opening. Either BVI resident have come to expect too little or they’re just too lazy to throw thigs clown out.

  3. Jah says:

    24 people a day. That is a resounding success. Ok…

    It’s similar to saying you were dying of thirst, but you were able to get the faucet to drip out a few drops per hour. Yup a resounding success…

    Like 17
  4. Fahie - wake up says:

    Thank you for the USVI helpdesk. Will the people manning it be allowed to answer questions or will it be secret like your tourism plan.

    Still no official answer on kids
    Still no official answer fees
    Still no official answer on protocols

    What exactly are you doing during your workday Mr. Fahie? Stop gaslighting us and tell us if we can come or if we should rebook in the USVI, Remember you are the boss, you can make any rule you want BUT you have to let us know what they are. Right now so much uncertainty, cannot plan, logistical nightmare. Congratulations. I read they are developing a drug that is 50% effective in growing a spine. You should take two doses.

    Like 21
    • Tourist says:

      Yep, I’m here every day checking because I need to figure out whether I’m actually going to be able to travel with my kids at the end of May.

  5. 300 says:

    Wow – I hope you can handle the rush.

    Like 10
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  6. YOUTH says:

    Good job

    Like 2
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  7. Know your people says:

    This is not new. Was initiated by the BVITB many years ago

    Like 10
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  8. snap election says:

    Hurry up and come fast election because we need a more sensible government.

    Like 8
    Dislike 12
  9. Tim says:

    now they will raise the entry fees because you know … they already invested $300M to fight COVID on dumb projects like this …

    or they simply trying to solve unemployment by sending people to work in USVI …

    btw: are they going to be US Citizens or BVI ?

    Like 6
    Dislike 5
  10. pow says:

    @Hilda, For your information when you travel to the USA from Canada on a flight you clear for the US in Canada. Just for your information

  11. Visitor says:

    Mr. Andrew Fahie,
    You need council from people who think they know how to get visitors to come and boost the Economy. The way you going about it isn’t getting it done. If you think Covid-19 is going anywhere you can hold your breath. If you don’t lift those stupid Protocol when someone has a Negative test and fully Vaccinated your country will never recover. It cost more money to come to the BVI than the rent people pay to live on Tortola, which is about $900 a month. Why would I spend that kind of money to come to Tortola when I can go to other parts of the world for free. Mr. Andrew get it together. You are loosing daily

  12. Home boy says:

    Why the hell you still got to jump through so much loops to travel to the BVI , if you can show you are fully vaccinated, why I got to be Quentin, I hope you have the rapid COVID test, BVI wake up stop making it so hard to come home , it seems like the USVI got there stuff together,I actually went to a jam in st Thomas , that the Government sponsored, all who attended was vaccinated,come on Andrew get your you know what together, Tortola is my home and you making so hard for me to come home .

  13. onelovebvi says:

    WHAT CAN STAKEHOLDERS DO OR CONTRIBUTE IN ORDER FOR CUSTOM DEPT TO BE MORE EFFIECIENT AT THE PORT? THE PROCESSING UNIT IS PAINFULLY SLOW ,MERCHANTS ARE EXPERIENCING ALOT OF SPOILAGE FRON PRODUCT SITTING IN THE SUN TOO LONG. tHE WHOLE PORT IN MY OPINION NEED TO BE OVERHAULED IN TERMS OF EFFICIENCY TGUS ALLOWING CUSTOMER TO HAVE A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE DOING BUSSINESS THERE.NOT SURE WHETHER ITS THE SYSTEM,HUMAN RESOURCES OR SIMPLY THE WAY THE PORT IS LAYED OUT STRUCTURALLY BUT PERSONALLY I DREAD GOING TO THE PORT AND AM SURE ALOT OF PEOPLE SHARE THE SAME SENTIMENTS

  14. More BS says:

    Fahie moving the help desk from the airport to the ferry terminals and making it sound like he doing something.

  15. Oh well says:

    Nothing new here. Always been

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