Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Nearly 200 non-compliant charter vessels detained by HM Customs

- Given grace period to pay fines or face heavier penalties
Some 184 vessels detained recently by the Her Majesty's Customs (HMP) have been given an extended grace period to pay up on fines or face stiffer penalties. Photo: VINO/File
A joint operation which continued on March 16, 2022, clamped down on several yachting companies operating in the Virgin Islands, including the largest, The Moorings. Photo: VINO/File
A joint operation which continued on March 16, 2022, clamped down on several yachting companies operating in the Virgin Islands, including the largest, The Moorings. Photo: VINO/File
The clampdown on non-compliant charter companies and vessels is being led by Her Majesty's Customs. Photo: bvi.gov.vg
The clampdown on non-compliant charter companies and vessels is being led by Her Majesty's Customs. Photo: bvi.gov.vg
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Some 184 vessels detained recently by the Her Majesty's Customs (HMP) have been given an extended grace period to pay up on fines or face stiffer penalties.

A joint operation that continued on March 16, 2022, clamped down on several yachting companies operating in the Virgin Islands, including the largest- The Moorings.

According to a press statement from Government on March 17, 2022, "If the vessels are not licenced by that date the duties become payable at 5 percent of the value of each vessel."

It also said that if the combined value of all vessels is in excess of $100 million the companies must produce a bond of 5 percent to secure the duty owed.

At least three charter companies have faced heavy fines.

"Many vessels were found to be offered for hire without having onboard essential safety equipment for protection of the BVI guests and clients. The equipment lacking in many instances are propane Detectors, high Water Alarms, Smoke Detectors, Fire Extinguishers, Flares and Life Jackets," the statement highlighted.

It said, in addition to those violations, the majority of these vessels do not meet the minimum safety requirements which will enable them to receive a safety and exemption certificate that would allow them to be considered home based charter vessels.

Alarming discoveries

It was revealed that while conducting compliance checks on March 16, 2022, some very concerning issues were discovered, including that a charter company was operating without licences, cruising permits, and making false declarations to Customs officers.

"Our compliance checks have revealed that there were companies disregarding our agreements and conditions put in place to ensure the safety of our visitors and the protection of Government’s revenues. Vessels which were not authorised to charter were on charter without commercial licences and cruising permits."

According to the statement, Government had to recently detain approximately 46 vessels that should not be conducting charters at this time due to violations of the Commercial Recreational Vessel Licensing Act. 1992 and not meeting safety requirements for any of the vessels.

“The Government cannot lower the standards of the destination, making it unsafe.”

In addition, 138 vessels from a charter company were detained after compliance checks revealed that one of the official documents were tampered with. The offence carries a $20,000 penalty.

Boats found to be illegal in VI

Government also stated that it had to fine another charter company for a number of vessels which were detained in a marina and boatyard in Virgin Gorda without any status to be in the Virgin Islands.

There have been many criticisms, especially from charter companies affected, on the clampdown on non-compliant charter vessels. Some have said the timing is off and that it is bad public relations for a territory reliant on the yacht charter industry.

VI risks being labeled an unsafe destination- Gov’t

Government; however, said it has been working closely with the charter companies for several months on a number of matters to ensure compliance and the health and safety of the users of the charters.

It added that ignoring the issues could see the territory being labeled as an unsafe destination.

“The Government wants to ensure that local and visiting customers who vacation on the boats are safe. The Government cannot afford to put the lives of the captain, crew and clients in jeopardy; and run the risk of having a major maritime accident involving loss of lives in BVI waters – especially where non-compliant vessels were licenced for commercial use by the Government. This will project a negative image of the BVI commercial recreational sector as an unsafe maritime destination.”

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) is said to be also working closely with the enforcement agencies and with tourism industry partners to resolve the current situation of non-compliance, “so that guests may fully enjoy their charter experience and is exploring every possible solution to ensure future guests are unaffected.”

33 Responses to “Nearly 200 non-compliant charter vessels detained by HM Customs”

  • It’s about time (18/03/2022, 10:37) Like (32) Dislike (6) Reply
    Apparently these companies having been operating like this for donkey years and were allowed to do so by government.
    They have made millions on our backs without even wanting to hire local captains.
    It’s about TIME!! That they are made accountable.
    • Madussa (18/03/2022, 15:47) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      It baffles me that people who have been making big money all of these years would not pay the fees they need to keep them afloat. Not only that, they have the nerve to complain about it being tourist season, when they have known that for years. Always trying to get over thinking they are slick. No sympathy for them so go pay your fees and shut up.
    • Rubber Duck (18/03/2022, 22:50) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      So you know. About 200 boats are now out of action. The typical weekly rental for a boat is $10,000. So every week 200 boats are out of action it’s $2 million lost to the economy. Plus at least another $1 million lost to restaurants, taxis, souvenir shops etc. Do that for 10 weeks and you have shrunk the economy by 3%. Do it for 20 weeks and it’s 6%. Lose 300 boats to USVI and the Grenadines and it’s getting on for 10% of the economy.

      If the operators were not compliant they could be fined on a daily basis.

      But it seems to me that Smith is on a mission to wreck tourism in the BVI.

      Meanwhile employers who have stolen the tax, NHI and social security payments of their employees go unpunished.

      We cannot go on like this.
  • sam i am (18/03/2022, 10:47) Like (7) Dislike (30) Reply
    Give the customs oligarch he cut, whether in cash or powder and everything will be straight. The boat dem gon free up real quick for the latter dem say.
  • yess (18/03/2022, 10:49) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    Good Job. They think they can do as they please . Hope this is a clear message to others. Broke the laws and action will be taken. Stop taking us islanders for fools. Respect our laws and rules . Great job wade. This just shows that you and your employees are doing their jobs and not just sitting collecting tax payers money. I applaud you guys.
    • Hmm (18/03/2022, 13:28) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Well all other charter companies now in compliance did break the law like the rest of them. Some say the law was out years now so all that saying we are in compliance we are in compliance already did brwak the rules.
  • Ooohhhh. Boiiii (18/03/2022, 11:02) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    If the facts are true Then More Power to the
    Enforcement Agencies
  • Jane (18/03/2022, 12:16) Like (6) Dislike (23) Reply
    You may get your $5 million from the Moorings but expect them to relocate to St Thomas. Let's hope that payday will be worth it long term for BVI. Expect remaining charter companies to suffer a downturn in business from all the negative customer feedback.

    Let's all give Customs a slow hand clap for using a hammer to crack a small nut. Great job. At least with the diminishment in boats here, they will be able to significantly reduce the number of Customs officers, so not only will they put hundreds out of work, reduce the government take, but they'll also do themselves out of employment doh!
    • Obey the LAW! (18/03/2022, 13:16) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
      Jane get out of here with your nonsense. This is only a big deal because …T…e .privileges being taken away. When that happens all hell breaks loose. All the BVI is trying to do is enforce laws that charter companies were asked to be in compliance with for a very long time. Ole people say if you hard ears you gon feel. Try going to USVi and see if you can get away with that nonsense here..bout heavy hammer to crack a nut. Further, these hundreds of persons who you forecasting will be unemployed can simply pack up and leave! And you who refuse to follow the law can take all the blame for that. Period.
    • @Jane (19/03/2022, 00:35) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

      Does St Thomas have a place to hold your 300 boats?
      Asking for my friend.....
  • hah (18/03/2022, 12:42) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    The boats are grounded they cannot gi out on charter to make money but now they are being fined for being grounded
    • Linda (19/03/2022, 20:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ hah, they would not have been grounded if they were doing the right thing in the first place. Put the blame on the boat owners who knew what their responsibilities were before this crackdown happened. They were warned long ago, so get the hell out of here with that crap. They grounded themselves, period. How in the world do they expect the government to just sit back year after year, while they are making good money and not paying their share to stay in business. I'm glad this has happened because now they will be on their toes doing the right thing, so this does not have to happen again.
      • @linda (20/03/2022, 13:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        as you said the government wait years.. the said government you talking about was issuing permits for the said boats all those years. they could have waited another year for the boats to be in compliance :) charter companies for only asking for 3 more weeks.
      • @linda (20/03/2022, 13:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        get your facts before you comment. where did it stated that the charter companies owing the government for years?
  • get them (18/03/2022, 12:47) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    BVI Government It's about time! They cannot nor are they aloud to conduct business this way in they country.
    It's all about the money they make; but does not spend nor keep in the BVI.
    • Hmm (18/03/2022, 13:33) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      But wgen the guest arrived for those boat they pay airport, taxi fares, shop for groceries locally, rent water sports equipment from local businesses, made purchases at the beach bars and restaurants, they pay for cruising permits and national park fees also made a payment for visar, they also buy souvenirs. So do tell if those money spent here does not remain here.
    • huh (18/03/2022, 13:36) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some charter companies are in this s... because the choose a local businesses to be their supply chain and until now the cannot get the stuff ordered. So please rethink your statement. All other foreign companies here are in the same boat.
  • Windy (18/03/2022, 14:12) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    We stand with Wade Smith for Justice and the rule of law
  • get them (18/03/2022, 14:24) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    ....nor are they allowed
  • Abandon Ship (18/03/2022, 14:24) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The sign for yachtsmen (or really for anyone) over the door at BVI Customs: "Woe to ye who enter here!"
    Our fine government, making the Bahamas, St. Thomas and Sint Maarten look more and more attractive each day.
    Question for the Premier, since Customs and Tourism fall under his umbrella: How many people at the BVI Tourist Board are employed full-time just to deal with each new BVI Customs debacle?
    • stupps (18/03/2022, 14:55) Like (3) Dislike (17) Reply
      Oh hush. So you think they will get away with not abiding with the laws in Bahamas and those other countries. This is the crying you hear when you leave lawlessness carry on for too long. The offenders say a whole lot of nonsense even when they are dead wrong.
      • Just watching (18/03/2022, 17:05) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
        Lawlessness is in the streets of Road Town and East End, not on the water. Who is doing anything about actual crime?
    • Really (18/03/2022, 16:11) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      At abandon ship, oh shut your whining mouth. The other islands were always there, but you want us to believe because they have to follow the rules to keep their passengers safe, that they will pack up from here to go elsewhere, where rules have to be followed also. You people are kill me.
    • Just watching (18/03/2022, 17:00) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Agreed. Just moved my 2 boats from BVI to St. Marten late last year. I kept them in BVI for 15 years. BVI has become hostile to boat owners. Government believes people will come to BVI no matter how much they are abused by the government. Maybe so, but with violent crime skyrocketing in Tortola I think they are putting their efforts in the wrong place.
  • Josiahsbay (18/03/2022, 15:52) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    If the product is viable there will be other suitors; no one need to stay in an abusive relationship for fare of loosing the abuser.
    • Just watching (18/03/2022, 17:04) Like (0) Dislike (10) Reply
      who is the abuser!?
      • josiah'sbay (18/03/2022, 18:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        If you owe and don't pay and expect to maintain a cordial relationship you are abusing that relationship. If you go else where you will still have to pay.
    • Just watching (18/03/2022, 17:06) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      That is the wisdom of a fool.
    • Linda (18/03/2022, 21:40) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Josiahsbay. I understand what you are saying, but write it so weak minds can understand it, instead of trying to be psychological. The viable product is sailing that other companies will be interested in. The abusers are the boaters who have been taking advantage of the government for years by not paying their fees. Therefore, the government should not stay in business with these boaters who have been mistreating them, afraid they might take their businesses somewhere else. Let them leave...more will come.
      • @linda (20/03/2022, 13:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        are you in the charter industry?? what fees are you talking about?? let me tell you what you don't know. the relevant authority here was giving those boats permits to go out and those boats had a yearly license all had to be paid for. non charter industry was taking advantage of the government. know your facts. what they are implementing now is nothing to do with money its additional stuff that the boats have to have before they are being issued their yearly license for this year.
  • east man (19/03/2022, 02:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job strong decisive actions sends a strong message to the others. It had been going for far to long. Good job team.
  • BuzzBvi (19/03/2022, 06:53) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    The reality is there has been no change in the law. Just that they have chosen now as the Industry starts to recovver to apply it in a narrow way to a small sector. We are not seeing Go Fast boats targetted, or fishing boats or many other sectors. They do not care about safety. It is hard to think what they do care about. Law since 1992 and 20 years later starting to apply it to on group. Makes no sense. I would be happy if all laws applied like others to scooters, under the radar importation of them and other things like boats, cars etc for friends and family. How about properly patroling the borders. What happened to the talk of radars for watching. All money spent on barges could have paid for a sophisticated monitoring system. BUt who wants to stop that trade and the importatipon of funs no one. Please BVI, make laws and uphold them. Sheep would be gone, speaker would be gone. Time to tidy the place up for sure but what a stupid place to start by destroying the major pillar of the economy left.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.