Unity Gov’t to revisit Commercial Recreational Licensing Act
The change, which came into effect on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, had received mixed reactions from the public, as many wanted to know how this was fair to the VI-based vessels that still had to get work permits and trade licenses to operate in the territory.
It was also unclear as to whether any study was done to determine how the decision would affect the marine industry and the local economy.
‘It was a policy decision’ that was reversed- Premier
“We had a decision a few months ago that we reversed, which required work permits and trade licenses for charter boats coming out of the US Virgin Islands and other places. We reversed that because, of course, it did not have a basis in legislation.
“It was a policy decision made by a number of departments, so upon close examination of the situation and close examination of the legislation, those charter boats were able to enter without work permits or trade licenses, and that helped to ease the commute for them coming into the BVI, because, of course, that increased the administrative burden on our departments,” Premier Wheatley stated at a press conference on Friday, January 6, 2023.
‘We will be returning to that legislation’
The Premier noted; however, that the legislation would be revisited to ensure fairness.
“But we will be returning to that legislation, which is the Commercial Recreational Licensing Act and we are going to make some more changes, changes that will help to recognise the value provided by locally based operations and also to get fair value for those coming into the Virgin Islands, especially considering the fact they don’t have to pay for work permit fees and trade license fees,” Premier Wheatley stated.
Dr Wheatley also said consultations are being done with stakeholders.
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16 Responses to “Unity Gov’t to revisit Commercial Recreational Licensing Act”
tourism is given full support from government to government: all now west end ferry terminal can not come back to full capacity and speaking from 2017, however the pier park floating going and your government happy like a pig in mud
look at the dump at pockwood pond year after year and administration after administration and not one thing getting done:
health minister in and health minister out and not a damm thing for the good of our people[a serious health hazard and no one we continue electing cares) cruise ship passengers is all them politicians seriously care about
run talk that
A Hi-Viz sticker would allow HMCustoms to easily verify compliance by cruising through slowly and not harassing tourists and charter guests. And not running into other's boats when they try to raft up! It would be easy, so it will NOT be done!
This is our livelihood you are screwing up. Once the season starts we need to concentrate on keeping staff, booking clients and getting some sleep now and then.
The BVI is terrible at this. After Irma rules changed every day on entry into the country. This kills recovery. We have a sick economy and you are killing it again!
STOP THIS NONSENSE!
Keep It Simple! **Can't the BVI follow that principal?** Our Caribbean neighbour to the north, the Bahamas, charged a flat 4% of the charter fee. The captain walked in with the charter agreements, the Customs agent did the math and bada-big - bada-boom, paid and gone on charter. Nothing there resembling a banana republic.