Immigration Department worried over runaway cruise passengers
Concerns are mounting within the Immigration Department and the BVI Ports Authority following a string of incidents where cruise ship passengers have failed to return to their ships after arriving in the territory.
The issue centres around passengers from the Norwegian Sky cruise ship. Five individuals have gone missing over recent visits, prompting discussions between authorities about how to address the situation.
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Nadia Demming-Hodge acknowledged the concerns and explained that the Immigration Department is investigating the issue.
“It is concerning to us because despite us doing checks of persons on these ships, there are persons that are using this as a mechanism to facilitate illicit activity, which is something that we are prepared to address,” Demming-Hodge said.
She confirmed the Department investigates all passengers before they arrive. If anything suspicious is found, they can prevent individuals from disembarking. However, Demming-Hodge admits that some people still ‘slip through’.
Meanwhile, Marketing Manager at the BVI Ports Authority, Natasha Chalwell, described the situation as sensitive. “They are not topics that I’m at liberty to just expose publicly.” She emphasised that the Ports Authority would follow guidance from the Immigration Department.
Demming-Hodge stressed that collaboration is critical as officials work to curb these incidents. “We’re in the process currently of engaging with our industry partners, the Ports Authority and so on, and that would also eventually include the cruise lines.”
The Acting Immigration Chief said her department intends to increase pre-arrival checks and issue restrictions to prevent individuals from evading authorities and potentially disappearing after arriving in the BVI.
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stupid people. be careful with ruining the tourism industry in the british virgin islands.
Five missing individuals out of about 80,000 visitors by sea. Works out to be 0.006% missing. Not a massive issue it seems. No doubt there is more than 5 people per year who get here illegally by other means based on the various apprehensions reported online.
The assertion that the Department investigates all passengers before they arrive is risible. If it takes 5 minutes per passenger to check, and there is a ship with 3000 passengers, that represents 250 hours of work. Basically, a crew of about six for a week, for every ship. Even if you averaged one minute per check, it’s still at least one day for a crew of 6 per ship. Is that really happening?
IMHO, put the onus on the crusie ship companies. Fine them if thy don’t ake everyone they brought with them.
Why is the immigration worried? If they were doing their damn job they would have no reason to be worried. Word is the cruisers is considering backing out of cruises to the BVI. The new normal is if you want to smuggle into the BVI illegally, BOOK A CRUISE HEADED TO THE BVI. Not a good look for the cruise ships or the BVI.
Most cruises leave from Miami, it’s the ships home porting and starting/ending cruises in Non-US destinations would be the ones worrying. Someone boarding a cruise in Miami is not staying in the BVI.
I am sure the “missing” passengers want to get to the United States. Norwegian line cruise ships embark from the Dominican Republic, and passengers can get to the D.R. without going through the United States. So, getting on board in the Dominican Republic, then jumping ship here in the BVI, then a pre-arranged smuggle into the USVI is what is happening…..
Seems like Immigration is more worried about parking spaces at their Headquarters.
Recall Hill, Smith, jennings, frett, donovan and walters for two years.
okay so here is how to find this person.
Go to the dept labour ask which coloumbian nationsl are here on work permit, give them a visit beacsue at least one of them knows the answer, just like the last time foreign nationals went missing someone from their country knew exactly where they were and those people were on work permit…
if one knows the facts these stories won’t seem so stupid to publish, get the facts first before making it seem like the tourism product is at risk. Everyone wants to be heard but on outside looking in. Kudos to the Agents, Immigration, Ports and Customs as the matter is resolved….this island is a Rock indeed!
Who are these peoples? Where are they traveling from? What’s their travel and work experience.
you ignorant and uneducated british virgin islands. the virgin islands is surrounded by the ocean and ocean species. why not create a marine theme park environment around the former prospect park reef hotel site or some other suitable site to construct a hurricane proof/hurricane safe theme park to improve the tourism industry.
Did you take your medication today?
They made the delivery and left a different way, and richer for the transaction.