USVI escalates charter yacht fee dispute; Gov. Bryan demands Oct. 2 meeting
According to a Virgin Islands Free Press article dated September 18, 2026, during the meeting, Governor Bryan formally proposed convening an emergency Inter-Virgin Islands Council meeting in the nation’s capital during the week of October 12.
Premier Wheatley has until Sept. 25 to respond
Governor Bryan also set a hard deadline demanding that Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) give formal commitment in writing by September 25, 2026.
The VI Free Press article said the move follows direct inquiries from officials representing the U.S. Department of State, Homeland Security, Commerce, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of the Interior regarding how Tortola’s maritime policies affect American-flagged vessels and cross-border trade.
Under the VI’s new Commercial Recreational Vessel License (CRVL) framework, foreign-based term-charter vessels face annual levies of $7,500 for seven entries, a $2,100 charge for each additional trip, and up to $24,000 for unlimited access. Day-trip operators must pay $8,500, while water-taxi services pay $2,500 in fees.
Escalating costs
In a statement on September 18, 2026, Governor Bryan said, “Our businesses cannot be expected to operate indefinitely under escalating costs, uncertain procedures, and requirements that affect their ability to compete and earn a living.”
However, Premier Wheatley defended the increase in fees, saying they had not been increased for decades.
Bryan’s statement added, “We are neighbours, and our preference is to resolve this cooperatively. But we also have a responsibility to protect the economic interests of the people and businesses of the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
With talks now being moved to Washington and involving federal customs, trade, and border authorities, the Bryan-Roach Administration is signalling that the USVI no longer views this as a friendly local misunderstanding.
Government House warned that if Tortola refuses to negotiate or the talks fail, federal agencies could initiate regulatory reviews within their own jurisdictions regarding maritime safety, customs enforcement, transportation, and reciprocal border security.
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Federal gov’t mobilising in response to charter yacht fee increase by VI
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31 Responses to “USVI escalates charter yacht fee dispute; Gov. Bryan demands Oct. 2 meeting”
The whole world is presently experiencing fuel shortage because of greedy mindedness. Wars are ongoing, spreading and spiking out of control. The B.V.I economic is ant size, not to be compared with great world powers and alliances.
Our economy is in shambles, but we are advertising and promoting our economic strength, pretending, as if it is not. Captain, Premier, Ship BVI is sinking fast, while too much of our needful finances are not being accounted for, but the partying continuing., and overseas trips abroad bring us few good results. Remember, many done grow on trees, nor political speeches pay for daily basic necessary and needful items.
Cindy yu can use ChatGPT. and put emojis at the end..we will take it.
I am not for giving in to the USVI on pleasure boats and yachts fees, but if we are not careful things can get heightened from a regular relationship to a financial warlike competitive struggle. In all wars the stronger side wins everytime short of compromise. We are not now in any position to challenge the USA, and there bullyminded President, Donald Trump, the "Let us make a deal" war mongering, money grabbing liar. But should we not humble ourselves and seek a win/win deal with our closes neighbor, USVI. Yes, we should respectively., Premier, Natalio Sajande Wheatley, yes.
Close up your mouth tite, and open up your mind. The USVI Governor, Albert Brian, didn't sell out the BVI. Has has no authority over us to do that. His authority is over the USVI people political affairs, not ours. The BVI was sold out by us many years ago, Sadly that trend is continuing, especially by native BVI born people for selfish material, and other perishable things led by self interest politicians.
Leh Bryan hush he dumbs***t co****t ass the Feds only waiting for he to go to lock up he like de rest a dem c*****t USVI Officials. De Premier don't have 2 do 1 ^%$#
Moreover, tourism is a key economic pillar for both The USVI and VI. Nonetheless, the VI is blessed with a wide array of islands, cays, islets, rocks, coves, dive sites, wrecks, etc..They both have control of the up to 12-mile territorial sea and up 200-mile exclusive economic zone. For hundreds of of years,,boaters have been encroaching on each others territory without concern. In the 50s or 60s,,the VI started charging foreign charter boats, including charter boats from the USVI, for use of its resources. That action was reasonable. Nonetheless, the VI erroded by keeping the rates constant for some 3 decades. It should have gradually increased the rates due to market value,,inflation, etc.. Instead,,in 2026, it significantly increased the rates. For example, one rate increased from approximately $800 to $24,000. Holy cow! This sent shockwaves throughout the charter boat industry in the USVI with the new rates purporting that USVI was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is important to note that the USVI and VI had had talks and agreements on the rates..
However, it seems that USVI Governor Albert Bryan supposedly got strong and aggressive pushback from his constituents in the USVI, resulting in his apparent reneging on the deal, back peddling. Consequently, appealing to Washington DC, ie, prez Trump and others. The US,,the Administering Power as tasked by UN for the USVI, an unincorporated, non-self governing territory..However, the UK the administering power for the VI is as quiet as a church moose on the issue. A charter boat trade war is raging..The USVi Governor is trying to get out front on the issue. He called for a meeting in October in Washington DC among USVI, various Federal Agencies and VI. UK? A full charter boat trade war is raging. What will it take to calm the raging waters, seas? What are the reasonable solutions. It is importsnt to note that the public opinion in the VI is that USVI have been getting away with murder, ie,, paying below market, for a long, long, long time.
[Let’s lead like eagles, not careen off the cliff buffaloes or sheep].
..Piss on them.
They're coming hard Premier, but, ancestral Virgin Islands' business interests, must.come. first!
PRIORITIZE, PRESERVE, and, PROTECT, Honourable Premier, the ancestral businesses of these Virgin Islands!