Tattered uniforms, poor service hurting BVI’s luxury image
Young BVIslanders working in the marine industry are being urged to raise their professional standards, with industry players warning that everything from appearance to customer service can affect the territory’s reputation as a luxury destination.
The issue was raised during a marine industry forum last week, which focused heavily on finding ways for more locals to participate in and benefit financially from one of the BVI’s most important industries.
Edward Lindsay, General Manager of Peter Island Resort, suggested that minimum service standards may be needed for water taxis, charter boats and other marine operators. He said while some operators are presenting well, some are missing the mark that will drive growth.
“I will see a boat come up with the most tattered, uniformed captain who looks like he’s been out all night,” Lindsay said. He also pointed to cases where snorkelling equipment did not appear properly maintained and captains failed to conduct safety briefings before leaving the dock. “And then you see somebody else show up that is proud of the boat that they own, and they are dressed to the hilt, and they are proudly displaying their equipment.”
Local boat captain Ramone George agreed, saying professionalism is particularly important for young local men trying to establish themselves in the industry.
“I have to be as clean as my boat,” George said, explaining that he wears a branded shirt even when conducting a short water taxi trip. He argued that visitors paying thousands of dollars for a luxury yacht vacation should receive a high standard of service throughout their experience, including when transferring between vessels or travelling ashore.
“I am tired of seeing our young men out here picking people up from the yachts and doing this in such a way…we have social media that express everything that happens here to the rest of the world,” George said.
George also said operators should arrive properly dressed, offer refreshments, conduct safety briefings and ensure their vessels are presentable.
“From the time I pull up on your dock, you’re supposed to say that looks like a professional young man,” he said.
The discussion comes as marine stakeholders explore how BVIslanders can secure a greater share of the jobs and business opportunities generated by the territory’s yachting and charter sector.
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Mr Ed is right as a captain myself i have noticed captains are dressing so shabby wearing flip flops dirty clothes mouth with bad smell some don’t even shower before coming to interact with people and that goes to the crew also working with earpods forget about the passengers on their phones i brought it up to the owners and nothing is being done about it,some of them have no respect and home training.
And we can smell the weed and Hennessy, don’t take tourists for fools.
PLEASE THE SAME ALCOHOL THAT TAKE THE LIVES OF SAILORS WITH NO ARREST TALK FACTS AYO AINT FOR AYO OWN CRAB IN A BUCKET MENTALITY
As a captain first thing in the morning majority of the crew on the ferry and charter vessel are coming abord smelling like weed and disrespecting passengers and some of the owners know about the problem.
There’s a another problem needs to address the speed boats that are speeding coming in by the cruise ships peir all the wake that is an accident waiting to happen and no one is addressing this problem we depend on tourism and i have heard them talking about it please address this.
Pride begins at home, and professionalism matters in any industry, especially one that serves as the face of the BVI. However, this should not be framed as simply young men lacking pride or respect for the profession. If some operators appear untidy or unprepared, it may reflect individual choices, but it can also point to a lack of clear standards, mentorship, and accountability within the industry itself.
I have seen both Black and white marine captains looking less than professional at times, whether in calm conditions or rough seas, so this is not unique to any one group. At the same time, many hardworking marine operators take great pride in their appearance, vessels, and the service they provide.
The reality is that what we portray to visitors arriving on our shores sends a lasting message about the BVI. If appearance, customer service, safety briefings, and vessel maintenance are important to maintaining our reputation as a luxury destination, then those expectations should be applied consistently across the entire marine sector.
At the end of the day, visitors don’t judge one captain, one boat, or one company. They judge the BVI. You cannot demand excellence from the bottom while tolerating mediocrity at the top. If standards matter, then everyone must set, uphold, and enforce them. World-class standards must become the norm, not the exception.
Have to keep up the turd world image.
thats one of the new culture that we have adapted, so don’t act supprised. .. and they think they looking fantastic with that dirty trend .
Just forget the luxury part of it. There is no professional service in the tourist industry here. Occasionally you run into a few service providers that really makes the effort but those are the exception. Poor quality service is the norm from the shops, to the supermarkets, to the hotels, to the restaurants to the marines.
But they are quick to charge Luxury prices for that lackluster service.
There is no professional services anywhere. I always wonder how these local businesses stay afloat…then I was reminded that the customers are all cousins and school mates to the owners.
Talking about those stupid haircuts cut up jeans and the list goes on and on just to mention a few.
A BVI water taxi is a businessman who transports white tourists with cocaine underneath the seats.
They forget to mention the current administration has issued several of the hotels and yatch charter companies licenses to do water-taxi and day trips which is completely cutting out the locals businesses owners
The locals had provided professional realiable service there would have been no need for the hotel to get their own. They were probably charging so muc that it was more cost effective for them to run their own service.
When last has tbe manager for Peter Island used their ferry? I did earluer this month and it was filthy !!! May I suggest he clean his own backyard first. That boat needs a deep cleaning !!!!
Labour department needs that type of Forum because they are the worst in service. Imagine working for a security company at Pier Park, you speak for your rights, your disrespectful, you complain about pay no right for the hrs of work your disrespectful, Go to labour for justice your fired,They have a lot of connection in the system and they will find out who make this post, So, Someone has to be brave, Godly and courageous to stand up…One of the reasons why I am voting against VIP, I like Sowande. He got to get labour to start working honestly and uphold the laws..