UPDATE: VI & USVI discussing proposed amendments to charter boat legislation
The VI delegation also includes Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Honourable Julian Fraser RA; Director of Shipping, Mr John M. Samuel; Acting Commissioner of Customs, Clinton G. Romney; and Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe.
The USVI delegation is led by Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr.
The two leaders and their teams met on March 7, 2025, in Tortola, for what was described as “intense” negotiations, at the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Conference Room in Pasea Estate.
Both parties had agreed to go back and “crunch the numbers” and the VI pledged to hold off on the amendments to the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing Act until an agreement on a fair increase is met.
See previous article published April 14, 2025
VI & USVI to meet tomorrow for more charter yacht fee discussions
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr. will meet in person again to continue discussions on the proposal to increase charter yacht fees for operators outside of the Virgin Islands (VI) via amendments to the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing Act.
The two leaders and their teams met on March 7, 2025, in Tortola, for what was described as “intense” negotiations, at the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Conference Room in Pasea Estate.
Following negotiations in March, both parties agreed to revisit and “crunch the numbers,” with the VI pledging to hold off on the amendments until a fair increase was achieved.
During a discussion on the proposed amendments to the maritime legislation on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Premier, whose ministry is responsible for bringing this bill to the House of Assembly, said discussions with the USVI have centred on getting them to understand more about the VI’s model for its charter boat industry.
“Of course, the question of fees came up,” he said, continuing, “We went back and decided that we will share some information with Governor Bryan and his team primarily, but there’s potential for changes.”
The Premier referenced possible changes for daytrippers, water taxis and the term charter licence, which has been restricted to seven entries.
New round of discussions tomorrow- Premier Wheatley
Dr Wheatley said that while the bill is on the Order Paper, the HoA has not proceeded pending the completion of “necessary conversations”.
Premier Wheatley informed stakeholders of the upcoming meeting with Governor Bryan and his team on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
He told them, “Some of the things you speak to us about today will be instructive for that meeting.”
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15 Responses to “UPDATE: VI & USVI discussing proposed amendments to charter boat legislation”
Will new discussion result in the significant changes which are needed? Probably not. If it does, they will forgo the many checks and balances of bringing this legislation to the house and be scrutinized only by the legislators who are not well equipped to understand the impacts.
1) Submit to all BVI laws for operating a business within the BVI
2) Clear in at a BVI port of entry during any charter in BVI waters.
3) During clearance present the yacht's BVI Trade License, Cruising Permit and the crew work permits with payroll tax, SSB and NHI payment receipts.
Every business in the BVI must deal with all this bureaucracy and so should all commercial passenger charter yachts.
Nonsense. They have no charter industry without access to bvi waters. Premier need to stay strong and not give in to threats.