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Racist tourists bypassing local boat captains – Julio S. Henry

- Says HM Customs should urgently look into the situation
Radio host, Julio S. Henry is imploring the Customs Department of the Virgin Islands (VI) to look into a situation where racist tourists are now coming to the territory to sail and cruise, however, choosing to bring their own boat captain who ‘look like them.’ Photo: Internet Source
'Hard Talk' radio host, Julio S. Henry. Photo: VINO/File
'Hard Talk' radio host, Julio S. Henry. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Radio host and Social Commentator, Julio S. Henry is imploring Her Majesty's Customs to look into a situation where "racist tourists" are allegedly now coming to the territory to sail and cruise, however, choosing to bring their own boat captain who "look like them".

Mr Henry raised the topic on the Tuesday, June 4, 2019, edition of ‘Hard Talk’ on Tola Radio VI where he noted that the government and other officials need to investigate the situation and ensure that it does not continue to happen.

Gov’t need to step in – Mr Henry

“A lot of companies [yacht charters] now… are accepting reservations from racist customers who are demanding that the captain looks like them coming to a Caribbean country, where the population is predominantly black and you want a white captain,” he told the listening audience and guest host Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka 'Cindy'.

According to Henry, “Personally I think the government needs to recognise these things are happening" and have a conversation with yacht charters.

He said charter companies need to understand and recognise the identity of the VI as a nation, and that if tourists don’t want to deal with that ‘identity’ they shouldn’t come.

Henry, who also works as a taxi operator, implored, “A lot of them [Tourists] are actually traveling with their captains… when you see multiple entries from the same individual two or three times within the year, and they're here with different groups of people, they are working.”

Tourists are networking

“I just had some customers who been here now… and I know just listening to their conversation they actually working,” he said.

“So the people them, now are probably networking through the system and they have [a] list of captains, who are willing to come, that looks like them,” the Tola Radio VI host revealed.

“They pay for their trips and everything to come down, they rent the boat [and] that person drives the boat as if they are part of the guest list,” Henry further revealed in urging Her Majesty's Customs to urgently look into the situation.

29 Responses to “Racist tourists bypassing local boat captains – Julio S. Henry”

  • kkk (11/06/2019, 09:59) Like (30) Dislike (22) Reply
    Sam is right on this one!
  • Apartheid (11/06/2019, 10:06) Like (33) Dislike (14) Reply
    Once they from South Africa look out!!!
  • Bull Dawg (11/06/2019, 10:17) Like (53) Dislike (5) Reply
    Those captains need to pay for temporary work permit.
    They are beating the system.
  • wize up (11/06/2019, 10:33) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    who to blame: it is those we voted into Authority that allows such conduct to continue and it have been ongoing for so many years that it appears to be the norm of this territory: our leadership consist a pack of cowards: when the small man falls behind with NHI; Inland Revenue or Society Security(not intentionally or deliberately) we are threaten with legal action: however the powers to be are timid to enforce the laws of our homeland when it comes to given establishment in Road Town(we afraid they will pack up and leave but none of them doing business in BVI, will leave) because what they gets away with in BVI they wont dear try that muck in another jurisdiction:
  • tretretrete (11/06/2019, 11:04) Like (48) Dislike (5) Reply
    We are quick to call out racism but we ignore the xenophobia that is so prevalent here.
    One and the same if u ask me.
    I don't support either.
  • NICK (11/06/2019, 11:33) Like (68) Dislike (6) Reply
    THIS IS B.S.
    I WORK FOR A CHARTER COMPANY AND WE NEVER HAD SUCH REQUEST.ALL YOUR GUYS ARE DOING IS FUELING HATE BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES.
    • @ NICK BICK (11/06/2019, 11:53) Like (8) Dislike (21) Reply
      Your blind to it that's why u cant see
    • just wrong (11/06/2019, 12:13) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
      Nick - YES YES amazing to me how that hate mongers continue.
      • True (11/06/2019, 14:52) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

        What the article says is correct N*** and the charter companies have records of this, the same guy being the Capt of the boat multiple times with different people each time. I know this as a fact as I deal with these people ww=ho arrive for a few weeks at a time and each week with different guests.

  • Captain,ThisShipIsSinking (11/06/2019, 12:03) Like (69) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bwoy, on the one hand you right - people come in all the time on charter and have their own skippers. That's true.
    But please Lord stop painting all white people as racists and make out like they are all working against black people.
    Some charter guests demand local captains! Some local captains are black, some from down islands so they are not local but they can give guests their knowledge of the islands and Caribbean culture.
    Some captains of all colours are real bad. Some charter captains who are local do not engage with the guests, they sit at the front of the boat and don't bother trying to make friends with them (why? Maybe because everyone's telling them all white people are racists) and many just want to go home every night so they take guests to anchorages near their home.
    Point is - you guys have a disease of making blackness and whiteness the only way of judging every situation that happens here! There are complexities and if you deny them, you deny reality. There are bad captains, bad (racist) tourists but there are good local captains and good people who happen to have caucasian skin.
    Stop racialising everything or you will miss the real problems we face that need serious thought.
  • hearsay (11/06/2019, 15:25) Like (13) Dislike (11) Reply
    This is nothing but hearsay. Can Mr. Henry provide actual evidence? With this sort of rhetoric, I would not be surprised that his motivation for voicing his opinion is that business is slow for him as a taxi man. And, indeed, if his assertions were true, there really is no need to play the race card. Alas, it is not as attention grabbing as complaining about persons working here without a work permit. Their race, creed, origin, gender etc. are irrelevant to the alleged transgression
  • born here (11/06/2019, 16:57) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Sam I cannot thank you enough to bring this to life again, beforehand our government looked out for us NDP came in power and took away our rights to be Caribbean captains and execute our talents at what we do best.!!!!!!
  • Challenger (11/06/2019, 17:11) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    this is a difficult one. on the one hand it is true..there are people who come down to the islands on multiple occasions....they charter a bareboat and then lease out the cabins...to cover their own travel costs and essentially have a weeks sailing holiday for free. they have done all of theirnown marketing...they are bringing revinue to the chartwr company...revinue to the resteraunts and other charter related things....they have found a loop hole...but is it really racially motivated...im not so sure. should this loop hole be closed down??? again..im not so sure.....they bring more revinue to the territory than one week of lost captain revinue. ive had charter guests call to book boats in the past who have specificallt asked for a non local captain and they have been very open and honest saying that they simply dont "mingle" with black people...weve told them they have chosen the wrong country to charter in and suggest they look elsewhere. there are people.out there who feel more " comfortable" around their own kind..that is just human nature..it doesnt mean they are racial....racial suggests hatred of another based on ethnic background.
    Mr. Henry is right..there are those who bring their own Captains....but it is not racially motivated.
    there is not an easy solutution to this.......leasing a boat and subleasing it is not wrong. being paid as a captain and not having the nessesary licenses / work permit is.
  • Quiet Rebel (11/06/2019, 17:40) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is amazing that some people of the lighter hue migrate to the BVI, a majority Black territory, and is uncomfortable around, feel superior to, disassociate itself from and segregate/isolate themselves from the majority of the population. Some bring their nasty, superior, racist and discriminatory attitude and behaviour. Anyone with this ilk should just bypass the BVI and their local sympathizers and enablers should just crawl under a rock. Most go along to get along in their home countries; they do a lot of maskings as to whom they are. But when they come out to the islands, they feel embolden. It is likel the sun does something to their brains.

    For example, about a year ago, two knuckle heads parade a Confederate flag across the St. Thomas harbour. Another one also in St. Thomas was shouting that she hated Black people and was encouraged to leave the territory, for staying was not in the best interest for her health and well-being. Dem think they own Water Island and it is off limit to Blacks and do everything to make them feel unwelcome. The demonstrated behaviour is locals fault; they put some people on pedestals. All hands need to get involved to ensure that the majority of the local population is not insulted in their own homeland. Ever since the Electoral College, an archaic, anachronistic process, elected the stable genius, some people feel embolden and have gotten more brazen. They are cruising (no pun intentred) for a b.....g; a “cumbuya.” The BVI should roll out the welcome mat but if you are racist don’t even think about coming either by air or sea. Your passport is already stamped DENIED. Cuz thanks for exposing this nastiness.




  • wize up (11/06/2019, 18:20) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    in the name of money it is well and good for some people to circumnavigate the laws of our territory and when you voice a concern as citizens of this territory people face push-up: can we leave our territory and not comply with the rules and regulations of the host country: persons coming here to visit for a few days don't give a muck with social conversation(the British Virgin Islands) is a crime free destination and folks will continue coming once we keep criminal conduct under control: stop defending wrong(some folks are granted permission to build a residential home in this territory) some of these folks then turns around and put that house on the market as a rental villa: that procedure is somewhat contrary to the laws of the territory...talking these things some of we take the issue the wrong ways
  • born here (11/06/2019, 18:25) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Customs and immigration need to check all those dream yatchs boat anchored off marina cay and camenoe next to diamond reef next to scrub a few well French on boats there no papers
    • True (11/06/2019, 22:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      That company has been fined multiple times , last time $90,000.00 paid it straight away and carried on business as usual.
  • Who Knows?? (11/06/2019, 21:00) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with Julio Henry on this issue. There may be an easy fix though, change the regulations to ensure that the captains for any charter vessel doing business in BVI SHALL be commanded physically by a Captain resident in the BVI and holding ALL the necessary licences to enable them undertake this position. However, I am not sure about the implications of such a change but it may work to the benefit of BVIslanders and legitimate Residents and Belongers (White, Black, Green whatever....)
  • racists (11/06/2019, 22:38) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    The real racists are the “bahn here” mental midgets,generally found behind the wheel of a taxi.
    • wize up (12/06/2019, 01:53) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply

      @ racist: that why your dead @$% on your knees to hold the BVI passport: you will sooner kill your self the second immigration ask you to leave this place but have a set of talk: full of talk up in this BVI.....we already hear better dogs than you bark: the cancellation of that fast track going to your head

      • another1 (12/06/2019, 13:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @wize up: We cant spend the money here...….. we cant by land and put up houses here do you really think we don't have notting back home!!! what do you do for your BVI? do you own ur Home or are you renting like 50% of the LOCals. If immigration ask me to leave ill go to the bank where all my money is saved then go to MWM and receive a big fat check, then go home and live in the house I have built after working for 20 plus years in the wonderful place....@$$
    • Taxi Rider (12/06/2019, 09:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Listen up. Over the years I've lived here I've taken many taxi rides in and out of town. To work, to shop, etc. I've found the men (and one woman) who drive the taxis to be sometimes reserved, sometimes chatty, but always respectful, friendly, pleasant. And they don't seem to give a hoot that my skin is a different color than theirs.
      So enough with the taxi man bashing please!
  • Winston (12/06/2019, 07:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If charterers are using an outside captain it cuts out a captain here , black or white so why is it a racial issue? It can not be a surprise that charterers will choose people they already know...just like they would their doctor, gardener, bartender or whoever.
  • OZYMANDIAS (12/06/2019, 10:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This just Sam running out of topics this is asinine. I'm for the Black man obviously and we would love to keep racist out but you can't. If I'm paying for a charter I want to be as comfortable as needed. If racist want a white boat captain to relax then by all means.
  • cromwell (12/06/2019, 11:59) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    You keep this commentary up and you will ensure that the tourists decide to give this territory a miss, after reading this blog I would not come here on holiday, because, there is clearly a major racial problem, and, it's not coming from who're people. Remember, 99.999% of tourists are NOT black and tourism is all we have when finance eventually leaves.
    • @cromwell (12/06/2019, 12:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Agreed. So many stories on these 'news' sites make the BVI look like a tourist destination that hates tourists, or white people in general.
      If the travel media was straight - if they wrote news and not fake stories for advertisers - they would have a huge story here that would kill BVI tourism dead. BVIslanders need to think about that. Tourism is our only serious economic 'pillar'. So far, thank God, it remains the territory's little secret.
  • Speak for urself (12/06/2019, 13:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just cant no more...…….I called several local skippers offering a job to them and the first thing they would tell me "if they are not getting a cabin they are NOT doing the charter". I Have a hand full of local skipper who will sleep in the captain quarters. When I cant find anyone I go back to the guest n let them know that i'm extremely sorry I cant find any skippers. Only then they would bring there own. I am working in the charter industry for 15years its at it worst now when it comes to getting Local Captains. I'm sorry Sam Sammy you need to go have several seats by the taxi stand. You do not know what you are talking about.
  • Really? (16/06/2019, 10:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are you sure the difference between the local captains and the expat captains is just the skin color? Could it be that the expat captains have better customer service? Do the expat captains have better reviews on Travel Talk and other review sites? Instead of government regulations, perhaps you could study what the expat captains are doing that you are not.
    When I think of local captains, I think of Gumption. That man gives excellent service, and he is very busy during the season. He has excellent reviews, and the people come back to him every year. He is doing something right.
  • Tim (07/07/2019, 11:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I owned a boat in the BVI, and over a three year period, I brought down friends to travel with me on my boat more than a dozen times. We spent a lot of money in the BVI sailing and enjoying the islands. So, that makes me a racist? If you would rather not have people come because they bring their own captain, you probably should just close down all the charter boat businesses. Nearly every bareboat rented brings their own captain with them. I am not a racist and resent the inference that I might be one because I don't hire a local captain. When the storms came through and the islands were on the ropes, and I was donating money to the Puerto Rico Navy and Branson's fund, was I a racist then? If so, I have been vacationing in the wrong country for years, and maybe should move my vacations down island.


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