USVI groups take ‘punishing’ BVI charter fees to Feds
A coalition of USVI marine operators has travelled to Washington, D.C., to draw federal attention to sharply increased charter-vessel fees in the BVI, which they say are triggering a crisis in their charter sector.
The group — organised under Project Fair Waters and led by Crown Bay Marina president Kosei Ohno — met this week with officials from the US Departments of State and Commerce, the US Trade Representative, and the Small Business Administration. Their message: the BVI’s new fees for foreign-based yachts are so steep that they are already driving vessels, revenue and jobs out of the USVI.
Because the BVI is a UK Overseas Territory, the USVI cannot negotiate directly on external affairs — leaving federal intervention as the only route for relief.
Since June 1, foreign-based charter yachts have been required to pay up to $24,000 a year to operate multi-night trips in BVI waters, a massive jump from the former $800 fee. Day-charter fees also leapt from $200 to $8,500. Operators say that when added to customs and port-entry charges, the new structure makes cross-border itineraries financially impossible.
BVI officials say the changes modernise outdated legislation and strengthen oversight of foreign vessels. But USVI operators say the fallout has been immediate: dozens of boats have either re-registered in the BVI or cut BVI routes entirely, draining business from USVI marinas, fuel docks, hotels, restaurants and provisioning companies.
The Professional Charter Association in the USVI estimates the charter sector pumps more than $160 million into that economy each year. Project Fair Waters says about 90 vessels have already shifted their homeport to the BVI, a move they estimate represents nearly $14 million in direct seasonal spending lost — and potentially up to $100 million once indirect effects are counted. Those larger figures have not yet been independently verified, but operators say the early signs are clear: fewer crews stocking up, fewer guests booking hotel rooms, and fewer boats in USVI slips.
“Without swift action, the US Virgin Islands will continue losing American businesses, American jobs, and critical maritime capacity,” Ohno warned.
Both sides held discussions earlier this year, and BVI regulators adjusted parts of the initial proposal after industry pushback. However, foreign-based vessels still face the highest cost tier, a structure USVI operators say undermines a region where boaters treat USVI-BVI waters as a single cruising destination.
Industry leaders now hope the US government will raise the matter diplomatically with the United Kingdom. Whether Washington steps in remains uncertain, but with the charter season underway, USVI operators say every week of inaction means more vessels, and more spending, drifting across the border.
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If ayo dont want to pay then use USVI waters only
and we usvi get fedup and cancle we visa waiver treaty yall better pay that 1500 to fly to usa and to fly barbados to get yah visa renewed lolo
No problem. I rather visit the caribbean over America.
Thank god some minds don’t run ahything but mouth and bad mind.
Companies that operate from USVI and go straight to the BVI give little economic benefit to the USVI. They use BVI resources and simultaneously provide very little benefit to USVI. A simple search, most USVI vessels going to BVI are owned by companies and individuals outside of the USVI. I applaud BVI finally saying, enough is enough. Stop using our territory without adequate compensation.
Crown bay said if the BVI boats are not insured, they cant use their docks
And Crown Bay got back up. USS Gerald Ford here to sort this problem out.
Where is our RFA Ship and it’s helicopter? We going to need it.
We going to have to unite to fight this one. There are more people on that warship than VIslanders in the VI.
Booohoohoo. Pay or stay in the USVI, simple.
A fair question is how long ago were the old fees established/implemented. I suspect that they were introduced/implemented some 25-35 years ago. If so then there may not be an argument. However, if they were increased that drastically over say the past 5 years then this would be unconscionable. Just trying to look at it objectively.
Natalio both you and Ralph were warned not to open the gates and allow these boats to be able to come into our waters to do Buisness. Ralph opened it in his 2007 tenure as Premier and You in the unity Government.
Andrew before he went off the scene had rejected it and fixed it so it won’t be granted and you revoked what he did and passed it. The problem with you is that you dont listen.
Now you and all who was on that unity Government has opened a can of worms. It shows the lack of guts to lead properly in both the VIP and NDP.
To be fair Myron is the only Politician who takes a stand and say St.Thomas is eating our lunch.
Been eating people lunch for ages. Buffet line closed now the bawling start.
Who could do, do. Who can’t do, can’t do! Why you bawling about our new fees ? Don’t you have your own waters?
Seriously???
This is just what it is…
The White and whitish in a tuff ‘ caus Black folks plyingtheir wares in an effort to capitalise and secure their future,just like dem.
The freaking nerve..pay..REPARATIONS…
All this inconvenience and additional time and expense costing BVI time and money.
Sooo..ADD on ADITTIONAL cost,please BVI.
The karenesque figging nerve of these clams..
Allyo don’t like “tis we” hike the price tag then go elsewhere@!!!! We no longer your free tickets.
****************>>>>>
St Barts just upderoad..
What the Feds have to do with BVI waters
Read the article. It’s a matter that would have to go through diplomatic channels from the US Federal Government, as do all treaties or trade agreements. Thus, the USVI wants the US Government to initiate the process by having a discussion.
People want to kill you for ypour own ting.
If they want to sail on our waters pi** on them.
Never been hungry in the bvi except for when I didn’t eat on time.
If you want to sail/go on excursions in the BVI come to the BVI!!! its simple
Ayo Danish already stole our name now ayo want to steal our waters?…….THE FEDS DONT OWN UP HERE!
True. They are already using our name without any repercussions.
I’m a US citizen but have to side with the BVI on this one. The article states that a number of boats have changed their registration to the BVI: “Project Fair Waters says about 90 vessels have already shifted their homeport to the BVI, a move they estimate represents nearly $14 million in direct seasonal spending lost — and potentially up to $100 million once indirect effects are counted.”
Okay, so the BVI has a more attractive “product” to offer and wants to restrict its use so that its citizens and business owners reap the benefits. What’s wrong with that? There’s also the notion that you don’t have to risk your life as one does going to St. Thomas or even St. Croix; although Tortola’s not The Garden of Eden, it’s not nearly as rough as either of those places.
I know less-than-nothing about this industry, but it seems to me that the BVI is protecting its legitimate interests, but as noted, if 90 vessels have shifted their home port to the BVI, what does that tell you?
Maybe there’s a price point where foreign vessels can pay less than the current steep increases and still make a profit here, and if that’s the case, both territories win because the BVI will obtain revenues that it otherwise won’t. Short of that, however, the USVI operators are losing out to a better travel experience, and thus are just “on the wrong side of the trade” as the saying goes.
Trust me if the BVI was so oil enriched as Venezuela the US would be knocking on the BVIs door as well…
To Project Fair Waters led by Crown Bay Marina president Kosei Ohno et.al:
If our revised fees are too costly for you and your ilk then DO NOT come over onto OUR waters then! Plain and simple!
You guys can use your main tourist attraction and sail around that real slow for your charters – Pedophile Island – Epstein Island!
It’s not the BVI’s fault you don’t have any worthwhile sailing waters; ya’ll can sail around St. John and Cruz and be just fine not paying our entry fees!
NEXT….
Dear USVI,
Please can I come and sail in the USVI and run a company based in the British Virgin Island. We want to pay a minimal fee to sail and conduct business in your country and we will keep all the profits and employees and taxes in the USVI.
I think the answer will be no.
We can not operate a business in the US and just do what we please and not pay taxes etc. Its such a silly idea that the USVI can operate a business in the BVI and not contribute to do so. The taxes and licencing fees are all applicable to our business so shy do the USVI not want to contribute to our country but use our natural beauty so sell their charters. Some companys have moved here and setting up businesses. I hope the BVI government stuck my their decision on this as the BVI is becoming swamped with Yachts and the product is becoming overcrowded.
The fees are definitely too high; a modest increase would have been much better.
I’m not understanding the challenge. The companies that can afford to come to the BVI are welcomed to come. The companies that can’t afford it should simply do business in their jurisdiction. This allows that money to stay in their economy.
So what they’re saying is they demand to use our waters to ply their “tourism product”. Bossie, kick rocks.
First, they steal our name now they begging to be in BVI waters. If you give them a chance, they would steal our sunshine if they could.
Stolen name? Wasn’t USVI sold to the US from the British?
The Danish West Indies comprising of St Thomas,St Croix,St John, Water Island were sold to the USA in 1917 and renamed the US Virgin Islands. Th US Virgin Islands Passport identity
UNITED STATES
of AMERICA
The Virgin Islands are a British overseas territory consisting of over 50 Islands with the main ones being Tortola ,Virgin Gorda,Anegada..
Passport identity:
BRITISH PASSPORT
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
The Virgjn Isl as Vigin Islands has been identifed as The Virgin Islands since the 1600’s
Note…
There is North America
Cental America
South America
” You know who” has grabbed the title America, ousting the identity of the other Anericas and has attempted the same with The Virgin Islands…they are the former Danish West Indies with current ownership by North Anerica and is officially The United States of America as indicated on their Passport,birth certificates and other legal docunents.
The virgin Islands have been identified and acknowledged as the Virgin Islands since the early 1600.
The USVirgjn Islands were identified and known as the Danish West Indies up until their purchase from Denmark in 1917.
.
Yet you still have people saying we don’t need an airport because we have STT right there. You all better wake up and smell the cow shit!
A lot of those USVI boat charge between $175-200 per person to do an day trip to the BVI and some of those boats ran 7 days a week and most boat hold over 10 and above passengers do the math