Gov’t to host stakeholder meeting on marine industry developments
The government is set to engage stakeholders in the marine industry on upcoming developments, particularly in light of the proposed fee increases for the charter yacht sector.
This meeting comes ahead of a second round of negotiations between Premier and Minister Dr. Natalio Wheatley and US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
The two leaders initially met last month and agreed to revisit the proposed fee increases before reconvening this month. At that time, Premier Wheatley assured that he would not present the bill to the House of Assembly until an agreement was reached with the USVI Governor.
According to local reports, the proposed legislation includes a substantial increase in annual fees, raising costs for overnight charter operators from $400 to $24,000 and for day sail operators from $200 to $12,500.
The Ministry of Finance will host the stakeholder meeting on April 8 at 5 pm at Maria’s by the Sea. Maritime industry professionals and stakeholders are invited to participate in discussions regarding the upcoming Marine Industry Bill amendments.
As Minister responsible for Maritime Administration and Shipping, Premier Wheatley emphasized that the meeting aims to ensure industry members—who will be directly impacted—are included in the discussion, understand the legislative process, and have an opportunity to provide input.
Key amendments to be discussed include the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing Bill 2024, Cruising and Home Port Permit Bill 2024, and the Customs Management and Duties Bill 2024
Stakeholders are encouraged to attend and contribute to shaping the future of the marine industry.
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Meetings for what? As usual, decisions have already been made, and advice sought from Lord alone knows who. No one believes for one second that Government will take stakeholder’s advice into consideration; how could they possibly be of help? 😉
Why would anyone go? They ignored the industry in the first meetings, and then the Premier attacked them when they were finally able to give feedback.
This government is determined to destroy their cash cow. Charter operators said “we can pay more, but you need to make it easier to do business”. The government said “We will quadruple the fees and make it more difficult to do business”.
Yachts float. They leave easily. Don’t assume they will turn around and come back if you change your mind later.
The charter industry is what kept the tourism economy going after Irma. While everyone was rebuilding on the land, they sailed new yachts in. The economy has changed. The relationship between the BVI and the industry has changed. There is much more competition within the region and globally now That would not happen today. They would simply go somewhere else where they were better appreciated. There isn’t a lot of inward investment into the industry now (there is elsewhere in the Caribbean). There is already a 20% reduction in bookings for next year.
Confidence and goodwill for the BVI are waning with the charter operators and their customers. Perhaps this will be the final straw, but dear leader and his team of cronies won’t be able they were not warned.
You are talking about USVI based operators. There are plenty of BVI based operators who pay their taxes and purchase their goods in BVI and support the bvi economy. Stop with your scare tactics. You gotta pay to play.
No. I’m talking about BVI operators. Like myself.
If ANY yacht wants to carry paying passengers in BVI waters then the yacht needs to comply with ALL the laws for doing business in the BVI.
Foreign ferries and water taxis must bring all passengers to Road Town for disembarkation.