BVI, USVI form marine task force to resolve charter fees dispute
The BVI and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) have agreed to create a joint Marine Task Force to review and resolve policy and regulatory issues affecting charter boat operations between the territories.
The agreement follows two days of intense talks between Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr amid concerns from USVI charter boat owners about increased fees and limited access to BVI waters.
“We decided, of course, that we would form a Marine Task Force to take a closer look at policy and regulatory issues,” Dr Wheatley stated.
He added that the BVI is committed to ensuring faster processing for visiting USVI vessels, using technology to cut down waiting times at ports.
“I made a real commitment to ensuring that the boaters that come from the United States Virgin Islands… are processed more quickly, that we use technological solutions at our disposal… instead of waiting in lines at our ports, they’re on the beach at White Bay or at the Baths having a good time,” he explained.
USVI governor, Bryan echoed the need for fairness and efficiency, noting that negotiations balanced both sides’ economic realities.
“One of the things that’s essential in terms of negotiations is that both parties walk away a little bit uncomfortable. That means that it was a fair negotiation,” Bryan asserted.
Bryan highlighted that while USVI charter boats each contribute about $20,000 to $26,000 annually to their government, boats operating in the BVI are each contributing around $40,000. He said this created an imbalance.
“It really isn’t fair for us to be able to send a boat over to the BVI unlimited,” he argued. “Their charter boats, who are nestled there, employ people who work there, eating there, getting rents there, they’re having the same amount of payment as the US Virgin Islands.”
Both leaders agreed to a new fee structure that balances access with fair contribution to resolve the issue.
“What we want to do is have some government people, have some industry people on this Marine Council to talk about improvements in the system,” Bryan said.
The move comes after weeks of complaints and tension between charter operators and government officials.
Despite the challenges, Dr Wheatley said the meeting marked significant progress. “We’ve agreed probably about 95 percent of what’s needed to be agreed,” he said.
Both governments have pledged to continue discussions and strengthen regional cooperation.
“We both agree that the US Virgin Islands is a product of the BVI tourism, and BVI is a product of the USVI tourism,” Bryan added. “Without their charter boat industry, without our airports, we’re not as attractive. We want sailors to come to the greater Virgin Islands, not to go to St Martin, Anguilla, or Puerto Rico.”
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If yachts from ANYWHERE want to enter the BVI with commercial passengers aboard then the yacht must:
1) Submit to all BVI laws for operating a business within the BVI
2) Clear in at a BVI port of entry during any charter in BVI waters.
3) During clearance present the yacht’s BVI Trade License, Cruising Permit and the crew work permits with payroll tax, SSB and NHI payment receipts.
Every business in the BVI must deal with all this bureaucracy and so should all commercial passenger charter yachts.
If we need a “task force” to sort out this mess, why was it already presented in the legislature? This is a waste of their and our time. Who is responsible?
Read lots of lunches on different islands on the public purse.
you say no to the UK sorting your s**t out but now you want the USVI to tell you how much to charge their boats when engaging in business in the BVI, you can not make this s**t up!!!
Every investor who came and are here have lived off of the country making millions, yet they give back very little beyond misery wages.
All due to leadership and officials who, after decades, continue to do unhygenic politics.
This must change.
and the winner is…………THE USVI
Why they have a say to decide fees? Natalio had a say with the new tariffs?
FRIENDSHIP DAY IS A WASTE OF TIME
Ausar feels, that yachters, and others, wanting to do business here, SHOULD:
APPLY, for a license to do business in these Virgin Islands;
SUBMIT, annual USVI tax returns to UK Virgin Islands, as a way of verifying income to determine requisite fee schedules;
and lastly, SUBMIT, weekly fee schedules, of rates charged to visitors, so that the proper rate schedules can apply!
FOR TOO LONG, “these beautiful Virgin Islands that we call home”, were taken advantaged, by many USVI yachters!
Remember, 800 USD, as an annual charge,
is unacceptable!
And, don’t you, Premier Wheatley, WEAKEN,your stance, on this issue!