A local charter operator has called for the slips at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park to be utilised by charter operators accessing cruise ship passengers. Photo: freestyletravellers.com

Grandeur Charters representative Ramon George has called for the reopening of Pier Park and the restoration of the finger piers to facilitate more efficient accessibility for cruise ship visitors. Photo: Youtube

Grandeur Charters representative Ramon George argued that charter operators should be allowed to pay for pickup and drop-off services at the pier, saying the arrangement would improve service to cruise passengers while generating revenue for dock maintenance. Photo: VINO/file

George made the appeal while speaking at the Marine Industry Forum held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

He argued that charter operators should be allowed to pay for pickup and drop-off services at the pier, saying the arrangement would improve service to cruise passengers while generating revenue for dock maintenance.

“I personally would like to see the Pier Park open to us, with a paid pickup or drop-off, so we could start having to drop off the cruise ship guests,” George said.

Currently, only certain taxi and livery operators are allowed pickups and drop-offs for cruise passengers.

'Arrangement is costly & inefficient'

George described the current arrangements as inefficient and costly for operators and visitors. 

According to George, cruise passengers are sometimes required to walk from Village Cay to another location to access transportation, while charter operators may face long waits before collecting them.

He said the delays can result in passengers arriving late for their onward travel.

“I have had this guest, and they had to walk from Village Cay all the way over there,” George said. “Sometimes when you get here, you don’t have enough dock space for the dock office, and you’re here waiting for 20 minutes, and they reach the ship late.”

George said that, in some cases, operators are forced to cover additional travel costs when passengers miss their scheduled connections.

“Guess what? I have to buy them a ticket to reach St Thomas to get the next flight,” he said. “This is insane.”

Greater investment in finger piers needed

The Grandeur Charters representative questioned why greater investment was not being made in the finger piers, which he said could help return cruise guests directly to the main pier and reduce delays.

George proposed that charter operators be charged a fee of approximately $50 for pickup and drop-off services.

“Charge us $50. We just make $2,000 for the day. I’ll pay 50,” he said.

He maintained that the proposed system would benefit both the marine tourism sector and the authorities responsible for maintaining the facilities.

“To pick them up and drop them off, what’s wrong with that?” George asked. “And that helps with the maintenance of those docks. We need that.”

The Marine Industry Forum took place at the Moorings Yacht Club.

The government-hosted event discussed current challenges, expanded local water taxi and day-charter operations, and building career pipelines for Virgin Islanders within the yachting industry.