‘Solve this locally’ -Skelton-Cline on VI-USVI charter yacht row
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Skelton-Cline called this ongoing issue a “silly fight” during the September 29, 2026, airing of his show Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM.
Under the new Commercial Recreational Vessel License (CRVL) framework, foreign-based term-charter vessels face annual levies of $7,500 for seven entries, a $2,100 charge for each additional trip, and up to $24,000 for unlimited access. Day-trip operators must pay $8,500, while water-taxi services pay $2,500 in fees.
New fees are reasonable; sudden hike is the issue
“I looked at the fees that our House of Assembly did, and my brothers and sisters, I want to tell you that…the facts are the fees are reasonable fees; they’re reasonable. The challenge is the fees were instituted at an exponential per cent all at once, notwithstanding that we on this side of the water did not attend to the fees for the last two decades.”
Skelton-Cline said the $24,000 for unlimited access can be easily paid by some of the charter companies as one charter could cost up to $30,000. The USVI, he said, has been yielding benefits from the VI and vice versa.
“Sometimes we don’t have all the facts even when we are certain that we do. We have to be open if new information is given to us, to adjust, to change our minds, and to take curative or corrective measures.”
UK not prepared to defend us
The VI and USVI have met both in Tortola and St. Thomas previously to have discussions. However, USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr. escalated the matter when he met with the US Department of the Interior in Washington on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and formally proposed convening an emergency Inter-Virgin Islands Council meeting in the nation’s capital during the week of October 12.
Skelton-Cline warned that the VI should not go into a fight with the mainland United States, as it would be a lost fight. “Ants should not go facing elephants and giants.”
He said that Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) would not be able to go to Washington DC for discussions on the matter without the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) taking the lead and the US taking the lead for the USVI.
“[The] United Kingdom is in no position to defend us”, he said, adding that there may come a time when a fight may be necessary, but it “certainly is not about this”.
He also warned that picking a fight with the US could put visa-free access, food and goods, air access and more at risk.
Put egos aside; solve this locally
The VI and USVI need to get to a place of negotiations, removing “egotistical hats” as this matter is now one of survival, Skelton-Cline said.
“What we need to say to Governor Bryan is: ‘Give us something that is an acceptable phased approach, that would allow your constituency to do what it needs to be doing and still allow us to get to the place where we need to be for our own finance and what is rightfully ours.’”.
The VI and USVI need to reason together, he said, urging that a conversation be held, reiterating, “This is not the time to fight, not with our family, friends and neighbours next door.”
Skelton-Cline added that while Governor Byran mishandled the situation “in his language”, this should not open the door for “tit for tat” but instead the VI should rise above it and be more mature, rational, and reasoned in addressing this matter.
“Let us solve this matter at a local level.”
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