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PR boat captain & Indonesian fishing crew held in VI waters with large catch

- Claimed purpose was to deliver close to 8,000lbs of fish to a local shipping service
A joint operation, involving marine police, Customs and Immigration officials resulted in the arrest of a boat captain from Puerto Rico and his crew of Indonesians who were allegedly in Virgin Islands waters with close to 8,000 pounds of fish in their boat on June 9, 2020. Photo: VINO/File.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Local authorities have held a boat captain from Puerto Rico and his crew of Indonesians who were allegedly in Virgin Islands waters with close to 8,000 pounds of fish in their vessel.

According to reports reaching our newsroom, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force's marine patrol, along with Immigration and Customs officers, made the arrest in a joint operation on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.

Sources said the joint task force spotted the fishing vessel in the vicinity of Norman Island and Peter Island.

The boat captain has been identified as Michael Foy of San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to reports, his crew of four members, believed to be Indonesian nationals, had expired passports.

Their large haul of fresh fish allegedly weighed close to 8,000 pounds.

When questioned by police if they were aware the VI’s borders were closed, the captain allegedly confirmed they were aware; however, he was taking in the fish to a local shipping service.

The men were detained for illegal entry.

35 Responses to “PR boat captain & Indonesian fishing crew held in VI waters with large catch”

  • intel (10/06/2020, 17:59) Like (26) Dislike (7) Reply
    Check inside of the fresh fish.
  • Waste not (10/06/2020, 18:25) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    I hope that fish either sold or frozen immediately. Waste of god's resources to let it spoil.
  • House Keeping (10/06/2020, 18:33) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    good interception
  • Redfire (10/06/2020, 18:55) Like (16) Dislike (40) Reply
    These waters does not belong to the government of the Bvi, your operating your government on their land and claiming waters, where is your documents government of the BVi
    • Saturday Eve (10/06/2020, 21:53) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
      Redfire you are a real Jack A$$
      • @Saturday Eve (11/06/2020, 09:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

        A real Jack &*$? That’s an understatement. The word for Redfire has NOT been created.

    • bvi (10/06/2020, 22:16) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      You sound like u do not belong to thr bvi either. Stay salty my friend
    • @Redfire (10/06/2020, 23:05) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      "When questioned by police if they were aware the VI’s borders were closed, the captain allegedly confirmed they were aware; however, he was taking in the fish to a local shipping service."
    • Just Wow (10/06/2020, 23:51) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Momoo of the week
    • Uncle (11/06/2020, 00:43) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      you is a s***t. the waters makes up the Virgin Islands as well. The Government better seize that vessel as well.It would be a lovely assets to the re-branding of the Fishery Department.
    • Stupid is as stupid does (11/06/2020, 08:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Go get some knowledge before you even try to butt heads with the big leagues. You are way over your head.
  • T (10/06/2020, 19:24) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where thay was going with the fish did that say? Or it's just a cover up just assumed
  • Me (10/06/2020, 19:43) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pls.identify thid local agent NOW.All laws broken illegal documents,illegal entry ,fishing in illegsal waters ,this is something to give serious thought ,timing ,agent,etc.I bet it's more than fishing.Pls.Govt.of the BVI Let us know who's who at these crucial tomes
  • NezRez (10/06/2020, 20:04) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    Fish for all of BVI before it spoil. Anything else you find smuggled under the fish is the governments. That's fair. These people think our borders are not watching. Good job!
  • Norris Turnbull (10/06/2020, 20:29) Like (35) Dislike (4) Reply
    Distribute the fish to the bvi people.
    • Locals only or island people to (10/06/2020, 22:59) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
      Only locals should get the fish or island people will now be considered part of the VI and get some of these distributed 8000lbs????
  • Somthing's Fishy (10/06/2020, 20:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dont add up....
  • Redhanded (10/06/2020, 20:50) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    For years VG fishermen complained about hauling empty pots and sometimes blamed BVI & USVI fishermen. Now we see who the real culprits are.
  • yea (10/06/2020, 21:04) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Feed the multitude
  • Diaspora (10/06/2020, 22:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VI needs to protect its 12 mile territorial sea and its 200 mile exclusive economic zone limit from encroachers all around its extensive coastline. Under UN 1982 law of the sea, it has sovereignty of its 12 mile territorial sea and a sovereign right of its 200 mile exclusive economic zone. It must protect its border, its natural marine resource and its blue economy.
    • E. Leonard (11/06/2020, 08:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Diaspora, agree that the VI should protect its 12 mile TS and its 200 mile EEZ 24/7/365. However, at this point, the VI government does has air or sea assets to adequately protect its extensive and wide open border. As a minimum and as a deterrent, it should have strong and stiff penalties for illegal commercial fishing, mining....etc in the marine area that it has sovereignty over sovereign right of. The illegal fishing activities depletes local supply, deprives local fisherfolks of economic opportunity, harms the local economy and robs the treasury of revenue.
  • BuzzBvi (10/06/2020, 23:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Identify the local agent. Lock them up and no more will come. But how we profit then?? Who will step up and be the next illegal agent? Trade or Laobur going to help? Think someone else already. Labour and Imm. stand down.
  • Keep your eyes open ! (11/06/2020, 08:40) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    This should be a wakeup call for the VI. Not only our waters must be monitored, but the authorities must monitor the land. Beaches, Ports of Entry etc. This shows the Blatant disregard for our Borders; especially during a Closed Border !
  • Who is selling? (11/06/2020, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    SOOOOO Wha they doing with the fish now? Market Sale weekend or what?
  • yea MAN (11/06/2020, 15:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    8000 Lbs, Yeah Man I hope they got Hardnose Give all away to the people. ALL.
  • Aida (11/06/2020, 19:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The fisherman is a legit one he was in water passing trough. He been doing this for all his life and he is a old guy with experience. a person without any guilty conscience respond like this? they ask to get in and he did and they ask to passport and he give his passports, get in Monday and wait until Wednesday to charge him. And they put a very large amount of money in his bail . I know the fisherman and he have a very good reputation and a name in this type of business . Is just for money I ask? What is next the boat ?
    • JC (11/06/2020, 21:24) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Hi Aida! That’s my father and thank you for speaking the truth. As most of us know, any news will distort the truth. He is a dedicated fisherman and loves the trade. I can only pray for him at this time. I’m worried sick about him and his crew.
      • Aida (11/06/2020, 22:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        He is in my prayers you and your family. I know he, the crew and the boat are going to be fine. Good luck . News not always say the truth because they only know part of it. I hope the boat remains in the same condition he and his crew maintain here in Old San Juan. They have the misconception because he unload here he is from PR and the boat. Is a USA citizen and the boat is a USA boat. My prayers with you and all his family.
  • mate (11/06/2020, 21:11) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    this man is one of the best fisherman around and this is all he has done for his life. everyone of u have no clue what u r talkin about . he didnt catch fish in the waters around he caught them
    in the atlantic. this is why social media and all social things suck. people like all of u who dont have a clue and point the finger. just a regular fisherman tryinfgto
    make a living. know the truth before running mouths.
  • BREAKING NEWS (12/06/2020, 08:28) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    we sitting back await on tourism tourism tourism while others in our sea water going with our fish: why cant we return to the days of using the sea water to make money:

    i am confident lost more in our sea water making good living while we hanging on waiting on cruise ships: eight thousand pounds of fish, can you imagine the catch of the day if they were not arrested:

    somehow as a people we lost our goals and our focus: our country is blessed with miles & miles natural seawater and natural fish but we run out build a pier park that is dead in the water 2017 and again 2020:

    this little place use to send ground provisions across the water to usvi look as us now sitting waiting on tourism while our people suffer:

    those in the tourism sectors can now diversify in fishing and grow food: after a hurricane we dont have to spend millions to repair the sea water

    the pier park is ok but its future is questionable simply because we live in a hurricane zone so when the park is functionally we have to set aside funds to renovate should there be a hurricane

    the government or private enterprise should invest in 5 five fishing trawlers so folks can spend a few days at sea comfortably and return to shore


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