USVI governor to visit BVI for charter fee talks on Friday
USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is set to visit the British Virgin Islands on Friday, March 7, to continue discussions with Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley regarding the proposed fee increases on USVI-based charter yacht operations in the BVI.
During a joint press conference with Deputy Premier Julian Fraser on February 28, Premier Wheatley revealed that he had invited Governor Bryan to the BVI to further their discussions, though no date had been confirmed at the time.
On Monday, March 3, Bryan confirmed his visit in a live press briefing, emphasizing the strong historical and economic ties between the USVI and the BVI.
“For generations, the USVI and BVI have shared geography and an unbreakable bond rooted in history, culture, commerce, and most importantly, kinship,” Bryan stated. “Our people are family, our economies are intertwined, and our success has always been built on cooperation and mutual respect.”
He added, “It is in this spirit that I will be meeting with Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley on Friday, March 7, to have an open and candid conversation about the proposed increases and obtain an equitable resolution that builds our charter yacht industry, promotes this friendship, and creates economic wins for both territories.”
Dr. Wheatley has acknowledged the interdependence between the two territories but has argued that the USVI benefits significantly from BVI waters. He has insisted that the BVI “will not be bullied” amid growing tensions over economic policies affecting the marine sector.
The Premier has raised concerns about an economic imbalance favoring the USVI, particularly in the charter industry. As a result, his administration is reviewing the Commercial Recreational Vessel License Act, which governs the charter industry and has not been amended since 1992.
The situation escalated when Governor Bryan called an emergency session with the USVI Legislature to discuss imposing a 25 percent tariff on imports from the BVI and introducing travel fees for non-residents crossing between the two territories.
The upcoming meeting is expected to be a crucial step in determining how both governments will navigate the economic challenges facing their marine tourism industries.
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Bryan representing the white american yacht owners from the mainland
USVI charter boats doing business in the BVI should follow all the rules and regulations that BVI charter boats must follow PLUS pay for the privilege to conduct their business in ‘foreign’ waters.
BVI government has an infinite amount of red tape regulations that all companies in the BVI must submit to so NO exceptions for a USVI based business
If a USVI business is not happy with following BVI red tape regulations then do NOT do any business in BVI waters.
Follow all the rules and regulations just like every business in the BVI does, is that right? So, are you saying that yachts that regularly coming over need to have a BVI trade license, work permits for the crew, BVI food handlers licenses, BVI licensed captain? Presumably also income tax, and SSI contributions withheld and paid to BVIs since charter company employees are earning wages in the BVIs.
And also pay their monthly NHI installment.
Doing business with employees is very difficult in the BVI due to the infinite red tape bureaucracy and the slow processing of work permits, entry permits, social security ID cards, NHI ID cards, NHI medical claims, etc. etc.
They already do that.
Your statement says “USVI charter boats doing business in the BVI”, that is not correct, rather it should state “USVI charter boats visiting the BVI”. If they were doing business in the BVI they would need a valid trade license and all crew would need work permits…
@ Charter Captain: If a charter boat captain from StThomas takes paying passengers to the BVIs and back, is he not earning money in the BVIs? Or, is it a semantics game, along the lines of free tours to the BVIs but you have to pay the boat to get you to the border? You could take all thsi to the point of absurdity. The BVI entry stamp does not generally permit work paid or unpaid, so since boating involves some degree of work, then BVI might as well stop anyone coming over by boat.
This whole thing is petty. BVI is short of money and as usual hits up outsiders for more. The place is expensive for what it is, and the short sighted mentality is that they only want big money visitors. Lamentably, collaboration to reach an amicable and mutually beneficial solution is unlikely.
they yacht owners left in droves during covid and are now based in the USVI so it is his side that have grown at the detrement of the BVI and now its time to pay the piper and see many boats returning to their BVI bases.
Not so, most of those boats have since returned to the BVI…
In the words of Kamalala Harrisss….”don’t come!”
Ar u b careful, dem might decide to stop us from using the US dollar!
Oh we don’t need, No para man, o over here in awe we land.
The new and current US President
is in control and no doubt about it.To the extent that he terminating employees left and right. Sowande should be mindful that these VI are in deliberate and ongoing noncompliance with International Law regarding Border Protection and has been for quite sometime.This is no minor wrong. It has reaching potential global consequence.Keep in mind also that Panama has signed off on the requirements to
return the Panama Canal to the US ownership. Dominican Republuc and Jamaica are not capable to help these VI but rather such alliance sullies the global image of these VI even more than it has currently. The upcoming scheduled meeting with Gov Bryan, the US Rep of SeaPorts,AirPorts in..St Thomas,St Croix,St John,Puerto Rico will be a crucial message and determinant in all matters going forward….A change is gonna come!
determinant …….