‘I want charter businesses to thrive in Greater VI’ – Gov-elect Kenn E. Mapp
This is according to an article published by the St Thomas Source news site captioned ‘Six-Pack Exemption Bill Passes House, Needs Senate Approval’ and published on December 6, 2014.
However when this news site contacted Governor-elect of the US Virgin Islands Kenneth E. Mapp, he responded with a statement saying that his administration will work to encourage more maritime business throughout the Greater Virgin Islands as a whole.
The article pointed out that boats were allowed to carry 12 passengers up to 1993, when the limit was set at six passengers under the terms of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act.
“The bill, which impacts only the Virgin Islands, passed the house with a vote of 413 to 3, indicating strong support for the measure,” the article said.
“The bill still needs Senate approval but it is expected to take up the measure next week. Gov. John de Jongh Jr. said he was cautiously optimistic that the bill would pass the Senate,” the article said.
“The governor said passage of this legislation is crucial in reclaiming the Territory’s place as the yachting capital of the world,” the article said.
"Restoration of this important sector of our economy will offer a milieu of technical and entrepreneurial opportunities in the boating industry,” the article quotes de Jongh as saying. “This legislation is a critical first step in our journey to regain our position as the world's leader in this important industry sector.”
USVI Governor-elect Mapp speaks
Last evening December 8, 2014, USVI Governor-elect Kenn E. Mapp’s Transition Team Communications Director Kim Jones sent this news site a statement from Mapp on the issue when contacted.
It stated thus: “On December 3rd, H.R. 5769, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 passed the House and now needs Senate approval. It is our hope that the proposed changes in the Six Pack legislation would encourage more maritime business throughout the Virgin Islands as a whole.”
“The current and somewhat restrictive Six Pack legislation has definitely put a strain on the owner/operators in the Crewed Charter Business and many of our locally registered vessels have fled the area to operate in other waters. It is this new administration's goal to encourage and assist small businesses, land based and marine based and grow the once thriving marine industry throughout all of the Virgin Islands, US and BVI.”
Local reactions
Speaking to this news site, General Manager of The Moorings Clarence Malone said that he has heard about the US legislation but had not read enough about it to comfortably comment.
However he said that while there are a lot of rules and regulations the question remains enforcement. “But like I said I haven’t had the opportunity to take a look at it so it is kind of hard to comment. My understanding based on the limited information I received it is all for them to try and generate more revenue,” he said.
He said that if people’s fears are confirmed then it would affect business in the Virgin Islands. “But to what extend that would be kind of hard to say,” he said.
“What I do know is that some of our customers would love to, from time to time, go to the USVI but because of the restrictions it was difficult and complex it is they tend not to,” he said.
Contacted for a comment on the issue, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) said that is what his proposed marine academy is all about, staying a step ahead of the curve.
“When the USVI does get the go ahead from the Senate to have 12 passengers on their boats they will now be where we are today. And by the time they are fully developed to where we are, we will be another step ahead. And that’s why it is so crucial to get this programme up and running once we are the Government of the next administration,” he said.
He said that once the measure passes the Senate it will take the USVI some amount of time to really impact on the yachting industry of the Virgin Islands. “They are looking into the possibility of building a marina at Coral Bay in St John and that’s a direct threat to us. Because Coral Bay is right outside of Norman Island and they could come into our waters and sail inside Peter Island, Norman Island, go up to Anegada, they can do anything,” said Hon Fraser.
“So we really and truly cannot relax on this particular issue…we have to jump on it and move forward,” he said.
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28 Responses to “‘I want charter businesses to thrive in Greater VI’ – Gov-elect Kenn E. Mapp”
But that is soon changing and we will be like everyone else and lose our identity. We could make money off the STT boats by (carefully and tastefully) fixing Sopers Hole as a destination, Norman Island, Peter Island etc. At the end of the day- they all go home and leave us in peace.
While Governor elect Mapp talks about encouraging the Cruise Yachting business in the entire Virgin Islands, (US and British), we are here talking about staying ahead of the game and are already feeling the threat of competition.
I often wonder, why on earth, doesn't the BVI take advantage of our proximity, close relations and because of the US Virgins ties to the USA; the most powerful/prosperous country in the world. With the right government in place, (and I'm sure Mapp's government will be such a government), the US Virgins are finally going to get the support, a much grater support from mainland USA. We, without our hands out, can benefit to a much larger extent, because of the already mentioned benefits and the potential relationship.
We are already using the US Currency, import more from the US than any other country (including our so-called Mother country), get most of our tourists from the US etc. Other Caribbean countries must be wishing they were similarly located like us, and have the ties we have with the US Virgins.
By far, we don't obtain a similar economic benefit from the US Virgins, than they obtain from the US. We can be benefiting to a much grater extent.
While we are all up in arms about having an expensive (hundreds of millions of $ debt) international airport (at this time), we should (at this time) continue to use St. Thomas' airport, develop a strong presence in St. Thomas to meeting/and assisting our visitors, develop a cutting edge ferry service that can connect between Bvi/Usvi in a much shorter time, prove real service; including internet service on all ferries, maintain designated persons on the ferries to assist with immigration/Customs paperwork, making sure that taxi service are readily available and waiting at the ferry docks etc
Here is a benefit most of us don't know about the US Virgins. During the past slow Summer off-season, when most of the hotels on Virgin Gorda were closed, (as they usually are, between mid August and Mid October...Little Dix Bay, Bitter End, Biras Creek and Saba Rock); the ferry services and other excursion companies from St. John and St. Thomas, on a daily basis brought, boat loads of guests to Virgin Gorda to explore the baths, our Scuba Div sites etc. The taxi drivers did/do well and the restaurant/bars did/do similar...and would have been mush quieter without those daily excursions; (most days, 4 - 5 boats).
Do you believe that if the BVI does nothing about the present status of that industry they can compete with the USVI? Or is it simply your arguement that we concede the sector to the USVI, and concentrate on the areas you mentioned in your blog as opportunities, such as an upgraded ferry service, develop a strong presence in St Thomas, etc?
At an earlier time we were building boats in different parts of the Virgin Islanders (especially at East End); but the guys who had the boat building skills are just about all gone now, as well as the skillful sailors who sailed the vessels; sailing as far as the Dominican Republic and Trinidad in the south (often sailing by knowing the position of the stars and aided by the tides). Of course we need a Maritime Academy.. and need it soon. These skills must be revived.
Please see my comment on an earlier interview by Mr. Frazer...under the the blogging name "Thinking Out Of The Box" http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/hon-fraser-proposes-maritime-academy-new-jr-high-school
I am not aligned with any particular political party and not really a fan of Mr. Frazer; but as far as coming up with solutions to move the VI forward, the "Marine Academy" is the best idea floated in a darn long time; (compared to selling whole islands, giving away our tax dollars and indulging entertaining investing in an overly expensive international airport, when there are is an alternative; at least at this particular time).
As far as being overly concerned with being challenged by St. Thomas in our marine industry, I don't see a problem. The BVI is a very special place; unique, less crowded (at least for now) and different in other ways; more dive sites (the Wreck of the HMS Rhone is world class), best sport fishing (at the Sea Mount and the North Drop). Beaches on Anegada are as long as a mile long or darn near. Of course we will have to be vigilant ...and just do our thing.
If someone works in an office and the closest you come in contact with the sea is going to the beach or buying fish in the supermarket you wouldn't have much of an idea of the way our marine industry works, and the huge amount of moneys being generated.
Example: While an apartment will cost $300,000 - $400,000 or more to construct yielding a gross rental income of 4 or 5 thousand a month, that same money is typically earned in a week or less with yacht (motor or sail), costing the same or less. A Scuba dive investment is another (especially if combined with a dive store and tank rental).
Marine electrician (which is totally different from land based wiring can earn a technician as much as $90.00 p/h or up to $5,000 a week; the same for a good fiber-glass specialist, marine painter or marine mechanic.
A marine supply store is also another big money-maker, same with a rigging business and sail/repair etc.
The interesting thing is the amount of money we (the tax payers), pour into tourism marketing and promotions; $15millions-$20-millions p/y.... including these same maritime business. Question: Who are the real beneficiaries?
Folks we better wake up and wise up. Business ownership is the Real Deal and financial guru, Robert Kiyosaki in his best selling book, "Rich Dad/Poor Dad espouses it.
Th Virgin Island is only so many square miles. Like the Lashing Dogs says in their song, "There's honey in th rock"