Project Fair Waters approximately 90 vessels had left the US Territory earlier in the season, and as the season comes to a close, more than 300 vessels have left or are preparing to leave the US Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File

Premier and Minister of Finance of the Virgin Islands, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has defended the significant increase in licensing and entry fees for foreign-based commercial vessels, which took effect June 1, 2025, and said neither the United States nor the United Kingdom governments should get involved. Photo: GIS/File

Some vessels from the US Virgin Islands have relocated to the Virgin Islands to escape the significant fee increase. Photo: VI Consortium

Project Fair Waters, according to the VI Consortium, in an article on April 22, 2026, said timing matters as transport vessels have been loading yachts in the US territory as the season closes, with many operators preparing to reposition boats to Europe and Florida.

More than 300 vessels set to leave

According to the coalition of marine-industry stakeholders based in the USVI, approximately 90 vessels had left the US Territory earlier in the season, and as the season comes to a close, more than 300 vessels have left or are preparing to leave.

The group said a practical framework should be outlined before the Virgin Islands Boating Expo opens May 14, 2026, at Yacht Haven Grande to reassure operators, brokers, vendors and investors that a path forward is in motion.

“Once these vessels scatter, the challenge is no longer simply keeping boats here — it becomes re-marketing the Virgin Islands to operators who may leave with negative perceptions after increased costs, restrictive access, overcrowding and long delays,” said Mr Kosei Ohno, lead of Project Fair Waters. 

Project Fair Waters said the matter should be approached as a constructive diplomatic and trade issue, not a political confrontation.

Project Fair Waters said the USVI and Virgin Islands function in practice as one interconnected charter and marine tourism market, and that the US and UK therefore have a necessary role to play.

The coalition said a modern, cooperative framework would lower friction for legitimate operators, protect jobs, support a healthier shared economy, and reinforce the [Greater] Virgin Islands as one of the world’s premier sailing destinations.

UK & US should not get involved- VI Premier

Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance of the Virgin Islands, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has defended the significant increase in licensing and entry fees for foreign-based commercial vessels, which took effect June 1, 2025, and said neither the United States nor the United Kingdom governments should get involved.

During the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing External Stakeholders Meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the Premier dismissed claims that the government intended for the fee increases to negatively target the US Virgin Islands.

The Premier expressed his belief that both the VI and USVI governments had reached an understanding regarding these concerns, stating, “I think we got to a point where our positions were well understood, but subsequently, we saw that understanding change once the true impact of the changes was felt." 

He pledged his government’s commitment to engage more with the US Virgin Islands government, adding, “We don't believe that this matter should be handled by the United States federal government or the United Kingdom government.”