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Anegada Express suspended; refused docking by BVIPA

- Service reportedly failed to communicate with the necessary authorities about operating a ferry service in the territory
The Anegada Express, a ferry service operating from Anegada to Beef Island with stops at Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda, has been suspended after its inaugural trip on February 5, 2018. Photo: Team of Reporters
Operations Manager of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA), Mr Akeem R. Pickering said the owners/proprietors of Anegada Express failed to communicate with the necessary Authorities, the BVI Shipping Registry and BVI Ports Authority, about their interest to operate a ferry service in the territory, hence the suspension of the service. Photo: Facebook
Operations Manager of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA), Mr Akeem R. Pickering said the owners/proprietors of Anegada Express failed to communicate with the necessary Authorities, the BVI Shipping Registry and BVI Ports Authority, about their interest to operate a ferry service in the territory, hence the suspension of the service. Photo: Facebook
SETTING POINT, ANEGADA, VI- Anegada’s first daily passenger ferry service, Anegada Express, has been suspended until further notice.

Anegada Express, a ferry service operating from Anegada to Beef Island with stops at Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda, made its inaugural trip on February 5, 2018.

Many residents of the sister island were thrilled to learn of the new daily service, especially since they have long been complaining of the current service being received.

But according to reports reaching our newsroom, the service was grounded after its maiden trip due to “documentation issues.”

“BVI Shipping Registry has stopped them completely,” a resident of Anegada stated, adding that the first day the service operated the vessel was prevented from calling at the public dock on Setting Point.

“They instead had to go to the Anegada Reef Hotel [dock]. This service is needed. People are furious about this,” the resident stated.

Service will be back!

Our newsroom was able to confirm that the Anegada Express was indeed stopped from operating but it is expected to be back in service once the required paperwork is done.

“It was an error made by the operator with the shipping registry. It is being corrected. It will be resolved shortly and ferry will be operational again in the coming days,” Jamie Johnson of Anegada Beach Club told our newsroom.

We also made contact with the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA), who confirmed Johnson’s statement.

“Unfortunately the owners/proprietors of Anegada Express failed to communicate with the necessary authorities, the BVI Shipping Registry and BVI Ports Authority, about their interest to operate a ferry service in the territory,” Operations Manager of the BVIPA, Mr Akeem R. Pickering told our newsroom.

Mr Pickering said the initial docking of the Anegada Express ferry at Setting Point was refused as there was no knowledge of its arrival to the BVIPA staff.

“Any person/company wishing to operate a ferry service within the Territory must complete requirements specified by both Shipping Registry and Ports Authority and these requirements are still on-going for approval.”

Mr Pickering assured that once all parties concerned are satisfied, the necessary approval for operation will be given and service will resume.

“We trust that everyone understands the situation and the need to follow the process,” the BVIPA Operations Manager added.

See link to related article:

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/anegada-gets-first-daily-ferry-service-to-vg-beef-island

23 Responses to “Anegada Express suspended; refused docking by BVIPA”

  • @ @ @ @ @ (15/02/2018, 15:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah
  • Outsider (15/02/2018, 15:43) Like (20) Dislike (16) Reply
    Locals always ketching hell in their own country
    • Oh Please (16/02/2018, 03:36) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
      The law is the law. That’s what’s wrong with the BVI. We hate abiding by the laws of the land.
      • rock (16/02/2018, 08:23) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
        What 4king law is the law! They only enforce the law on who they 4King want to enforce it to. Look at the ferry boat on the waterfront drive!!
      • Django (16/02/2018, 11:06) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
        White privilege in full effect - born here or not; do they have the requisite insurance also?
  • Disgusted (15/02/2018, 16:28) Like (36) Dislike (10) Reply
    Immigration giving aid workers in JVD a hard time and now excuses being made as to why this new ferry can't run or dock? This is out of hand!! People take a stand !! We all know how these folks work... and it's unfortunate because it is us, the residents of the Sister islands who are suffering
    • Lord o (15/02/2018, 19:38) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
      Not even a hair dressing spa a local can get.. When it comes to certain local people they find all kind of reasons to deny us..
  • NezRez (15/02/2018, 16:51) Like (32) Dislike (8) Reply
    The BVIPA is correct. Rules must be followed, or just anybody can enter our territories to do Lord knows what. Every vessel must be accounted for so illegal activities can be squashed before they get a chance to enter our boarders. Yes we need this service badly, so just be patient until legal things are in order.
  • i from here (15/02/2018, 19:24) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    Poor we not even in our own country we can live
  • too much (15/02/2018, 19:36) Like (12) Dislike (15) Reply
    BVI people need to wake up and Rise up.. 5 Politicians terrorising a population.. Still the people stay quiet..
  • Thoughtful Sailor (15/02/2018, 20:00) Like (22) Dislike (11) Reply
    I knew about this ferry service, before it started. Surely Ports and VISR were well aware of it, too. Couldn't someone from one of those agencies made a phone call to inform the operators that there were some hoops to jump through? It's a typical BVI bureaucratic "gotcha", where more emphasis is placed on making a point rather than making progress. I wouldn't say this if this sort of thing didn't happen so often.
    • officer (15/02/2018, 23:03) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      U are so right on point omg
    • @Sailor (23/02/2018, 08:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Really? You want government to chase every person with a pipe dream for their own business? If they did that, government would go even slower than they already do. The government didn't mess up here, it was the business owner.
  • concerned citizen (15/02/2018, 20:02) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Folks, the owner said it was an oversight. They admitted where they went wrong and are working with all relevant authorities to correct it quick time. Let us accept that and be patient, itis not as if the service will not be on stream shortly, all relevant authorities are working towards that.

    This is not about a little man catching hell, this is about policy and procedure for safety and smooth operations. What if in the event something happens and things go to Court, the first thing to be said is that: the relevant authorities did not due due diligence. Folks policies, procedures and regulations are there to protect businesses and people. Let us follow the laws.. then maybe we can get back some level of control and law abiding in this Country.

    May God help us all.
    • sorry (15/02/2018, 21:21) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      I hope BVIPA and Shipping Registry are this diligent with the ferries that are currently operating. Lots of violations there
  • NezRez (15/02/2018, 21:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let’s just hope there are no more category 5’s. So many buildings are still not and cannot be fixed with people’s limited incomes. My concern is with so much loose debris, there will be dangerous things flying around to really injure people. The best we can do now is clean up as much as possible to have minimal injuries.
  • See (15/02/2018, 22:46) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Best of luck to the local owners of this new service . A positive thing for our sister island Anagada
  • officer (15/02/2018, 22:58) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is bull we kill our self n let orher people come in we must stop being so jelous of each other
  • Geez (16/02/2018, 03:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the boat was going to the USVI they would have done all what was needed to be done. Only in the BVi. Anything goes here. The hell with the law seems to be the norm in the BVI or so it seems.
  • resident (16/02/2018, 05:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ thoughtful sailor
    I want to agree with your comments ; but it wierd to know One of the Principal share holders in this venture is on the board of directors @ PORTS
    How say we ? One of thoss little fellows in the Registry made a ——? Or is this what we REALLY need in this place ? Rules for EVERY ONE and not “ Oh that is Mr
  • chad (16/02/2018, 06:01) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Yet they gave away Rite way The BVI Oil field to expats so easily.. Rite Way was the BVI and the BVI was Rite Way. Hope one day it becomes BVI again..
    • Help me to understand (16/02/2018, 10:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Which BVI islander would have given/invested 1 million of their own money back into the economy by way of building a new primary school? We sit amongst several local millionaires and id like to know which one of those persons are coming together to give back for the sake of the country.
  • Ricky Rose (16/02/2018, 09:38) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    What hurts me the most about this is not that the service was suspended, not that someone in a capacity to shed light on the situation as to what information or clarification was not given, but the mere fact that people are here complaining because the said company was suspended and "dem born here" If the same break was given to another set it would be nepotism. If it was granted to a Caucasian expat it would be " selling out the country" God forbid something detrimental were to happen, it would be "Government careless and are not doing their jobs" Its clear that no matter what you do, even if you are within your rights and the law here in the BVI, the mentality of some of us will never change, and we wonder why the some of the youths and crime is so high....


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