USVI charter operators told to expect more reasonable fee increases from BVI

Lieutenant Governor of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) Tregenza Roach confirmed in a press conference on Tuesday, March 18, that USVI charters can expect a more reasonable increase in their fees by the British Virgin Islands following USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s recent talks with Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley.

Roach clarified Dr Wheatley’s previous statements, acknowledging that there needs to be an increase in the fees; however, he indicated that both territories will be negotiating to reach a conclusion “everyone can live with”.

“There are differences between us and the [British] Virgin Islands. One big difference is that they have a lot of control over who comes into their territory,” he said.

“Another fundamental difference is that they are largely self-sufficient. Their experience with colonialism has not been one where they send you lots of money like the kind of categorical grants and relief that we get through something like the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” Roach commented.

“They don’t have that. When they have a hurricane, they have to rebuild their places themselves, and so we recognize their need to generate revenue and to have multiple sources of doing that,” he added.

Roach noted that while they acknowledge the fees need to be increased, he expressed that the proposed increases were too high.

“We have brought them to a place of movement because some of the fees that they proposed were really phenomenal increases,” he stated.

The Lieutenant Governor, however, expressed confidence that both territories would come to an amicable solution in their next discussion.

Dr Wheatley said his administration has been reviewing the Commercial Recreational Vessel License Act, which governs the charter industry and has not been amended since 1992. The legislation proposes a substantial increase in annual fees for overnight charter operators from $400 to $24,000 and for day sail operators from $200 to $12,500, according to local reports.

Premier Wheatley and Governor Bryan Jr. have reiterated the longstanding friendship and history between the respective territories. However, Wheatley noted that while they are interdependent on each other, he believes there is an economic imbalance between the two territories in the charter industry.

Dr. Wheatley announced in subsequent interviews that he is willing to make a few concessions in the spirit of friendship.

This meeting came after Governor Bryan called for an emergency legislative session to discuss a proposed 25% tariff on imports from the BVI, which was confirmed to be in response to the BVI’s draft legislation that would significantly raise fees for commercial yacht charters entering BVI waters.

Upon news of Governor Bryan’s proposal, Premier Wheatley invited Governor Bryan Jr. to the BVI. Following Governor Bryan’s visit to the BVI on Friday, March 4, Premier Wheatley announced that the legislation would not return to the House of Assembly until an equitable solution is found.

While no final resolution had been reached, both leaders agreed to review economic data before resuming discussions.

Roach has since confirmed in the press conference that the next meeting date is scheduled for 30 days from the date of the first meeting.