BVI’s proposed charter fee hikes at root of USVI’s tariff threat
The call by USVI Governor Albert Bryan for an emergency legislative session to discuss imposing a 25% tariff on imports from the BVI was reportedly prompted by proposed BVI legislation that would drastically increase fees for commercial yacht charters entering BVI waters.
According to the VI Consortium, the proposed amendments to the BVI’s Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing Act, initially enacted in 1992, suggest a substantial fee increase and could potentially cripple the USVI’s charter sailing industry. Overnight operators would see annual fees rise from $400 to $24,000, while day sail operators’ fees would escalate from $200 to $12,500.
Staci Smith, executive director of the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA), highlighted the economic significance of marine tourism to the USVI. “Marine tourism is a vital economic driver to the USVI, contributing more than $100 million annually,” she stated. Smith expressed concern that the proposed BVI fee increases could threaten the growth and viability of the USVI charter industry.
Andrew Ball, chair of the BVI’s Marine Association, addressed these concerns during a recent meeting, emphasising the importance of collaboration between the territories. He noted that up to 80% of some BVI service providers’ business comes from USVI-based operations.
However, some industry stakeholders remain sceptical about the effectiveness of such discussions. An operator named Jared, with 18 years in the industry, expressed doubts, noting that previous high-level talks had not yielded significant changes. “Fees keep going up, more paperwork, more processes,” he remarked. “They kind of smile and placate us.”
Talks ongoing
Meanwhile, Acting Premier Kye Rymer issued a brief statement following the news about Bryan’s proposed tariff threat to the BVI. Rymer acknowledged the proposal and assured the public that “constructive dialogue has commenced with the Bryan Administration regarding this important issue for all stakeholders concerned.”
He emphasised the government’s commitment to maintaining the strong familial and economic ties between the BVI and USVI, which are “rooted in mutual respect, shared history, and a spirit of collaboration.”
Rymer further stated that the government is dedicated to addressing the matter “through open communication and good governance” to protect the interests of the people and businesses in the territory. He also assured residents that timely updates would be provided as discussions progress, urging them to stay informed through official channels.
Industry protection
Bryan emphasised the need to protect local industries and ensure fair trade in a letter to Senate President Milton Potter. “For too long, we have experienced economic leakage and inconsistencies in our trade relationship with the BVI,” the USVI Governor stated. “It is time we take decisive action to protect our local industries, generate revenue for essential services, and create a more balanced regulatory framework.”
The proposed measures include setting tariffs on imported goods from the BVI at 25% or higher and implementing new entry and exit fees for non-residents travelling to and from the USVI via the BVI.
The Bryan administration has expressed readiness to provide lawmakers with data and impact assessments to support the discussion. Governor Bryan urged the legislature to convene promptly to deliberate on the proposed measures and evaluate their potential impact on businesses, residents, and travellers.
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Looks very much like VIslanders and others are restricted from getting to that beach!!
But we cannot let greed get the best of us either. They have been cases right here in the BVI where docking and storing fees for boats have been hiked substantially for no other reason the “they can afford it” Seeing tourist as an ATM will eventually backfire and all to often that is the mind set . There can be reasonable discussion and eventual agreement but lets not think they we are holding ALL the cards either.
Deadman’s Bay… And Yes, restricted.
its merely a barrier against the stinky stuff. you can still get to the beach from the water side.
Until the constitution changes, we have been, we are, and ALWAYS will be the VIRGIN ISLANDS. He needs to learn the history of these VIRGIN ISLANDS and those sold by Denmark to the United States for $25 million ($594,550,000 in 2025) which took over the administration on 31 March 1917 and renamed the territory the United States Virgin Islands. This is documented history. So please do not get it twisted. Over the years we have literally given more to the US Virgin Islands than they have given to these VIRGIN ISLANDS. Those who know, know. Those who just come will never know the unwritten history and that is why we should all get along. Sort it out better than this Gentlemen.
Tit for tat
No one is hampering USVI’s Charter industry you can have it. But you see the problem is you have no industry if you cannot use BVI. People in USVI like to say they don’t need the BVI. If that were the case why are we even having the conversation? Why, because you have no charter boat industry.
Ahhhemmm, @??? take a better look, they do indeed have a charter boat industry. We lost a lot of business to the USVI during coved because the BVI shut down and the USVI stayed open resulting in a lot of charter boats moving to the USVI. Yes the BVI has a lot to offer but at $24,000 for an annual license for maybe a few visits, I don’t think so…
In my opinion, the current fees are stupidly low. 25% increase in tariff will only hurt their economy. which means less money for their taxis, hotels and airport. Don’t yield for a bully
Anyone notice who is really at those USVI meetings pushing to take over/leech into BVI’s charter boat industry. Just look at the photos and you will understand who is pulling the strings…….
Always easy to pull the race card when you have no other logical, well researched leg to stand on. Pathetic!
Another old, boring, uninformed race card puller response.
The way I see it is we have the handle and they holding the blade we can chop off their hand if we want. Last time he was over here strong arming the premier is because he wanted their boaters to have easier access to our waters. Is always them need something from us. We should try to get along yes but he need to understand he can’t threaten us with nothing. American Airlines flying straight into beef island now the day we upgrade our airport thats it for us needing them for anything at all. So he need to take some bass out he voice when he talking to or about us is how I see it. The fee hike seem drastic it can be negotiated some more.
eventually proved that the USVI charter yacht industry relies heavily on access to the BVI. When the BVI was closed in 2020 and later with restricted access in 2021 and 2022 the USVI charter yachts voyaged over to STX, Culebra, Vieques and eastern PR. Those US islands are hospitable but below the standards of the 60 islands in the BVI.
This tit for tat exchange between the 2 local governments in the Virgin Islands is juvenile. Perhaps the time has come for the 2 ‘mother countries’ to step in and resolve this controversy between their colonial children?
So if they can’t access the BVI for dirt cheap they basically have no marine industry.
Historic familial, cultural, economic, respectful and fairness common sense ties should be the basic pillars from which a mutually beneficial agreement must be reached.
Moreover, the owners of the USVI boating industry are an entity that is completely disconnected from the USVI VI human cultural mileu and relations.
Hence, lobbying the Leaders of the USVI to grant them economic priviliges and concessions to be exracted from the VI source illustrates clearly the mind set of those people.
Additionally, they will remain selfish and greedy for as long as they are alive. And if people other than them seek to look out for their own interests,
they are looked upon negatively and black mailed. Those are just facts.
Having explored other sides of the issue, it is now realized that Mr Bryant did not arrive at his legislative decision arbitrarily. In fact, it reaks with the stench of the caucasion modus operandi.
It is hoped then, that wiser caring heads for the people on both sides, but especially for the people of Tortola, VI, with the greater valued tourism boating product will be fully respected and compensated for accordingly. May fairness reign supreme.
Hon. Bryan lost Hon. Wheatley’s number? When he was up here on the political stage asking Virgin Islanders to vote for VIP, he knew how to get in touch with him. I am certain of that. But these fees are suggested and the first thing he does is pull out his rocket launcher, 25 % tariff? Looks to me like the VIP should be very, very careful who their “friends” are or keep them long Sam as my grandmother would say.
He should have gotten on his cell phome and speed dialed his “friends” to set up friendly talks on the matter. But, no, it seems like his white boater millionaire friends got him jumping too high too quickly. We all have options so he needs to be very careful.
Oh please…
I love my family in the USVI. But that set of imports from the mainland are the ones pushing this. My thing is if I call myself a landlord and you call yourself a landlord that is fine. But if you are that second landlord and your rental is my house then you are not a landlord. Which is the case here. They are saying they have a boat charter industry, but it’s our waters, locations they using. Then you do not have a yacht charter industry…..
to STT will suffer on Ferrys and water taxis…so will the owners of those vessels as traffic deteriorates…that is how it would affect us the most
Last time I checked a BVIslander can not work over in the USVI.
Exactly. They treat BVI as their workplace but they don’t allow us to go to theirs. Then they cry foul when we want them to pay for using *our* territory to run *their* businesses.
they have their Eye doctor come and set up shop on the top floor of the Hospital here and their dentist come up from St. Thomas to conduct business only God knows if they pay any fees for working in the BVI
Why should they pay fees. they are helping with bvi health. i believe all fees should be eliminated.
From what I’m hearing, those fees were long over due to increase. But that’s not my industry so hey.
We reduce the proposed fee increase by 25 percent. That might be a good place to start and see what Bryan proposes as a counter measure. On another note its disgraceful for our elected representatives on both sides to have allowed Caucasians to destroy our local culture and industry and empower themselves by creating an industry where they have become the economic power….puppet masters in the shadows while we as greedy grinning idiots talk s**t about a job while giving away our priceless heritage. All the politicians that we laud and give holidays for including Mr. 10 percent were clueless selfish sellouts a disgraceful lot. Look at the mess that they have created while the oppressor talks about
you’ll own nothing and be happy. For those of you who are comfortable on the plantation take the veil from your eyes and realize that we’re at the eve of destruction and misery.
the day boats need to be charged the $12,500 a year as they are stealing business from local operators.
the $24,000 a year for charter boats and crewed vessels that charge upwards of $35,000 a week so its less than $1000 a week for those pperators and if they dont want to come into the BVI then their guests will book BVI based crewed charter boats, so its a won win.
25% tariff on what exports?
its laughable
Not so @reality, those day boats coming from the USVI are not stealing business from local operators, they bring people staying on St Thomas and St John to the BVI for a daytrip. They pay Customs and cruising permit fees and spend tons of money at local bars and restaurants….
Ok Bryan Gas, Grass or a**, no body sail in here for free.
Ah when Myron said St Thomas Eating the lunch ayo wanted to kill him .
Ting just start
Grow food , open the wells, secure the 200 nautical miles perimeter for fishing and empower our fishermen and fishing industry
Nonody paying attention how global events are going to affect the BVI wake up my
People