Gov’t ‘deliberately rejecting escalation’ in USVI Charter fee dispute- Premier Wheatley
Amendments to the Commercial Recreational Vessel Licensing (CRVL) Act made provisions for increased charter fees. Under the new fee structure, which came into effect in June 2025, annual multi-night charter licenses that previously cost around $800 have now increased to $24,000 per vessel. Day-trip licenses have risen from $200 to $8,500 per vessel, in addition to customary customs and immigration charges that can add another $900 to $1,200 or more for each entry.
The USVI and marine vessel operators have accused the new fee structure of negatively affecting their marine tourism industry.
Gov’t has the right to secure VI’s economic future
“At the heart of these reforms lies a fundamental principle: the government of the Virgin Islands has both the right and responsibility to steward its natural resources in a manner that secures its territory’s long-term economic future,” Premier Wheatley said during the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on January 15, 2026.
He explained that the VI’s marine space is one of its most natural endowments, a strategic economic asset, a source of national prosperity and a pillar of its blue economy.
“This administration is firmly committed to ensuring that it is governed responsibly, sustainably and in the best interest of the people of these Virgin Islands.”
The amendments to the Commercial Recreational Vessel Licensing framework, Dr Wheatley added, arise from a deliberate and structured review of the VI’s maritime regulatory regime.
“They are designed to modernise the administration, strengthen compliance, enhance service delivery and ensure that commercial use of our waters is aligned with the true value of the resources and infrastructure being utilised. This is an exercise in sound governance, not confrontation and stewardship, not restriction.”
The Premier noted that the revised framework has delivered clear and positive improvements in overall performance, particularly in non-tax revenue outcomes.
“These improvements reflect stronger alignment, ensuring that those who derive commercial benefit from our maritime space make an appropriate contribution to its upkeep and regulation, rather than reliance on increased vessel values alone.”
Gov’t rejects escalation
USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr., in December 2025, wrote to President Donald J. Trump asking for federal intervention in the matter. A coalition representing the US Virgin Islands maritime sector went to Washington, D.C., also seeking federal intervention.
Premier Wheatley said the VI and USVI share deep historical, cultural and economic ties.
“This administration values those relationships and has approached this matter in a spirit of dialogue and mutual respect.”
He said during engagements with the USVI, including with Governor Bryan, they were able to explain the policy objectives, listen to concerns and reaffirm the VI’s commitment to constructive engagement.
“However, Madam Speaker, cooperation does not diminish sovereignty. The Government of the Virgin Islands will always exercise its diplomatic and legislative authority to protect its economic interests and responsibly manage its natural resources.”
Premier Wheatley also said these reforms were not made to target any jurisdiction, nor are they retaliatory in nature; rather, they are legitimate expressions of the government’s right to regulate commercial activity within the VI’s territorial waters in a manner that is fair, transparent, and intentionally aligned.
“This administration has also been deliberate in rejecting escalation. There have been moves towards punitive measures and retaliatory enforcement; instead, we continue to pursue dialogue, de-escalation and engagement through established inter-Virgin Islands mechanisms, while remaining steadfast in our responsibility to govern in the best interest of the Virgin Islands and its people.”
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13 Responses to “Gov’t ‘deliberately rejecting escalation’ in USVI Charter fee dispute- Premier Wheatley”
Even one mart and Island department store, people go there to buy furniture and even food supply people are shopping here. Travelling down there has become to tedious, expensive and time consuming.
What you cant get here, there is Amazon. Then there is Miami and Puerto Rico. As a result BVi people not shopping down there in the droves that they used to, the economy is falling. So they mean they will come and put there hanbds in our pocket and take what they want.
The USVI our closest neighbor in distance mileage, and friendship, I do hope,, and family ties should be viewed as an unbreakable bond similar, in some way, to a marriage of an adult male man to a adult woman, that benefit each other as much as possible.
The USVI greatly benefited in past times when money was scarce. Our grand fathers and. fathers mostly deceased was pressured, yes, but went to ST. Thomas, USVI to help put food in their wife's and children almost empty stomachs. Even though they were painfully tested in those days, their unrelenting spirit to survive prevailed.
Times, interest, and values has changed since then, but the principals of neighborly responsibility should not be allowed to change. The help to "bear each others burden is an expected eternal commandment that must not be violated through hardship occurring.
In biblical scriptures only two (2) of the ten (10) commandments matter: 1. Love God. 2. Love neighbors as self. By them and in then the Royal Law of liberty is being practically fulfilled.
USVI government leaders, treat the people of the B.V.I with neighborly love. BVI government leaders, treat the people of the B.V.I with Godly neighborly love, not to be excluded, people everywhere, God our Creator being our strength. Amenah (Amen).
The promise of a more prosperous life under the aegis of the United States has, paradoxically, led to the establishment of a welfare state, wherein the local population struggles to generate revenue independently. Instead, they find themselves reliant on assistance from the mainland, often receiving insufficient support to sustain their livelihoods. Furthermore, when any semblance of success is achieved, it appears that outside interests swiftly intervene to appropriate those gains. The wealth that the local populace could potentially derive from their natural resources has been systematically extracted and redirected to the mainland, primarily benefiting those adept at the nuanced art of economic domination and colonisation.
Regrettably, it appears that the same individuals who have perpetuated this cycle are now seeking to extend their influence and impose a similar model of colonisation upon the British Virgin Islands. It is noteworthy that true sovereignty has never been conferred upon any American territories; rather, it has been consistently overlooked, as there has been little genuine contemplation of decolonisation or self-determination within these contexts.
Malcolm X once spoke of the 'devils' in a metaphorical sense, recognising, in my view, what could be described as a predatory spirit among certain segments of American society. This spirit, which I believe reflects an unacknowledged disregard for sovereignty, is indicative of a broader issue. There seems to be an underlying belief among some that there is no higher authority that there is no God in heaven, that they themselves are the gods of destiny in this world. However, in time, the truth will become apparent to all as they learn that they will not touch God‘s (Jesus’s) anointed ones.