Hon Fraser slams Walwyn for reckless words on USVI/VI maritime fees matter
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This comes on the heels of revelations that USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr has written to US President Donald J. Trump and his Cabinet seeking federal action in dealing with the increase in charter vessel fees by the VI.
In his letter dated December 4, 2025, Governor Bryan said the issue “demands swift and coordinated federal engagement”.
He accused the new fee structure of already destabilising the marine industry in the USVI, adding that it “threatens to do long-term damage to our local economy”.
While some legislators preferred to offer no comments on the matter at the First Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Hon Walwyn could not refrain.
Was Walwyn reckless?
The controversial Walwyn said the world is now seeing ‘Trump sovereignty” including it being played out in the Caribbean where leaders are being pressured to make certain decisions they don’t necessarily want to make.
He also said the world is a different place right now, and there is a certain factor that is creating some ripples.
“Let us get a hand on this thing now. It has been around for a while. Regardless of who right or who wrong, let us get a grip on this thing before it gets out of hand. We may get a level of intervention that we don’t want,” Hon Walwyn said in relation to the charter yacht fees increase.
Hon Walwyn said the relationship with the USVI is a strong one but this could be damaged if no action is taken now to address the disgruntlements, “because if you get intervention from Washington, you might get something you don’t want to get.”
He cautioned the VI to be adequately prepared for negotiations “because the USVI would throw everything on the table”, such as the US Visa waiver access and use of the US Dollar by the VI.
“And we see right now that reason doesn’t always prevail in the environment that we are in,” Hon Walwyn said.
‘I have a problem with that stuff being talked about’- Hon Fraser
With Premier Wheatley absent from the sitting, Hon Fraser rose to express his disappointment with the Member from the Sixth District.
“I have a problem with that stuff being talked about in this House of Assembly by Members, knowing full well the sensitive nature of it and, Madam Speaker, the fact that the Premier doesn’t get up in this house and speak about it doesn’t mean that he isn’t actively pursuing it,” Hon Fraser said.
The Deputy Premier recalled the two meetings with the USVI on the matter last year, including one in the USVI. “Anyone who is being honest will tell you that they were serious meetings.”
Hon Fraser said he didn’t intend to discuss the matter in the public domain, but he wanted the public to know that no one is sitting by idly and watching things happen and doing nothing.
“The Premier is actively pursuing this whole matter. So, I just want to make sure that is clear, and I urge the members of this House that whatever you say or do, if it is not something constructive, to leave it alone because you are only damaging the territory.
“You might help yourself, but you're not helping the territory, and that's where we are with matters like that, and I’m sure that Premier might have something more to say if he does have anything to say about it,” Hon Fraser said.
See related article below:
USVI Governor asks President Trump to intervene in USVI-VI charter fee issue
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2 Responses to “Hon Fraser slams Walwyn for reckless words on USVI/VI maritime fees matter”
I AGREE WITH HIM WITH WHAT HE’S SAYING.
U ALL STUPID FOOLS CAN’T SEE THAT THE FEES ARE TOO HIGH?
NOT BECAUSE THERE WASN’T AN INCREASE IN THE FEES IN 3 DECADES DOESN’T MEAN U HAD TO MAKE SUCH A HUGH INCREASE.
THE PERSONS BEHIND THAT ARE A BUNCH OF FOOLS.
IF GOD SPEAR MY LIFE, I WOULD NOT GO TO THE POLE MEXT ELECTION TO VOTE FOR THESE SET OF IDIOTS.