11 boats detained by Her Majesty's Customs
Only late yesterday, August 24, 2016, some eleven (11) vessels were suspected to be in violation and were detained.
This operation was witnessed by this news site’s reporter while in the Nanny Cay area.
According to our informed sources close to the operation, the vessels were believed to have been in violation of the Cruising Permit Act.
Contact was immediately made with Commissioner of Customs Mr Wade N. Smith who declined to divulge details but said, “Yes there was an operation, in fact an operation is in progress, it’s very early to give any details but I can confirm that quite a number of boats were detained and we are now getting started with the investigations.”
‘Cruising Permit Act’ constantly being violated
It was just Monday August 22, 2016 when the Deputy Commissioner of HM Customs, Mr Leslie H. Lettsome, in an exclusive interview with this news site, alluded to the fact that boaters and companies continue to violate the Cruising Permit Act, during off and in-season.
Lettsome explained that when the Cruising Permit Act came out in 1976 everyone paid the same rate. However, that was changed to in-season/off-season rates for locals.
“The in-season was a little higher and the off-season lower, the foreign boats they were enjoying the same thing but around 1988 or somewhere thereabout they decided that the foreign boats would pay one rate and the local boats would still enjoy the off season,” he explained.
The day-sail charters continue to be a challenge for Her Majesty’s Customs as, according to Mr Lettsome, “We have been having challenges particularly with those doing the day sail. They feel they should not be paying according to the Act.”
While explaining that there are some ‘intricacies’ with the governing act, the day sailors have to pay but are constantly defaulting and Her Majesty’s Customs insists that they will keep on their backs to ensure they pay and not deprive the industry monies that are legally due.
In the meantime, Lettsome said HM Customs is in constant dialog with the Attorney General Chambers to have the ‘intricacies’ in the respective Acts sorted out.
“The [Cruising Permit] Act is from 1976 and it needs some amendments because there are some loopholes that, if we are not careful, people can use to their advantage and not pay. So we have been clamping down on that and we have been in contact with the AG (Attorney General) Chambers showing them those grey areas so we can tighten up on them and also get some clarifications so those who supposed to pay the fees, pay.”
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22 Responses to “11 boats detained by Her Majesty's Customs”
use to get some of the golden eggs to but he get cut off lol
This is a money grab by Government by Customs.
The Cruising permit Act is not designed for the day sail market...
Hotels pay a hotel tax
Charter boats (when you sleep onboard) pay the cruising tax
Cruiseship guests pay the passenger tax.
Now who are the guests on daysail boats??
The Act does not mention Day sail boats it only talks about Charter Boats, back in 1976 how many daysail boats?? NONE. The charter boat industry was just cranking up and this tax was for them.
Mr Lettsome says the industry is abusing the loop holes which the AG's chambers will close......
The loop holes he refers to is
section 11a) "on a scheduled journey"
b) "on a direct journey between any two points within or without the Territory".
I think these were written to ensure ferry's didn't get charged but as Mr.L is saying is being used as loop holes!
The Act itself is being thrown at the local daysail market by Customs.
If the photo is correct the owner of this company has the means to lawyer up and take this one to the cleaners!
Customs, rule by good example not by fear... you have the marine community scurrying for cover and not knowing what is happening next...EDUCATE BEFORE YOU PROSECUTE!!!
By Law what are the requirements in which a cruising permit is to be issued to a vessels.
There are 2 types of license under the commercial license act and one is for those offering accommodation and those not.