USVI Congresswoman Plasket takes charter fee increase fight to Washington
The fight has made its way to Washington DC, as Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) recently met with key United States government officials and members of the coalition group Project Fair Waters.
The government of the Virgin Islands had made its intention to increase charter vessel fees clear, and as of June 1, 2025, the new fees took effect.
Annual multi-night charter licenses, previously around $800, were increased to $24,000 per vessel. Day-trip licenses have risen from $200 to $8,500 per vessel, in addition to customary customs and immigration charges that can add another $900 to $1,200 or more for each entry.
About 90 charter vessels, which once operated from the USVI, have relocated to the VI.
USVI charter companies have raised serious concerns about these increases, which they deem unfair. Project Fair Waters is one of the leading voices in seeking to remedy these increases with the delegation travelling to Washington DC to hold briefings and initiate outreach with the US Department of State, the United States Trade Representative, the US Small Business Administration, and the US Department of Commerce in late 2025.
Plasket on a mission to find a solution
On December 17, 2025, Congresswoman Plaskett met with representatives from Project Fair Waters, a coalition she described as “fighting against harmful charter vessel fee imposed by the BVI”.
According to the Congresswoman, the new fee structure is “detrimental to the economy and livelihoods” of the United States Virgin Islanders dependent on it.
“A solution must be found to save USVI jobs and industry. I am working directly with Secretary of State Rubio, United States Trade Representative Greer, and other senior administration officials to prevent this burden on our territory.”
US Trade Representative makes commitment
Congresswoman Plaskett had met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamison Greer before her December 17, 2025, meeting during a Ways and Means Committee roundtable session.
According to a December 4, 2025, press release, the charter fee increases, among other matters, were discussed at the meeting.
These charter fee increases, she said, impact tourism and maritime commerce between the US Virgin Islands and neighbouring territories.
She expressed gratitude to Ambassador Greer for his commitment to “supporting the needs” of United States Virgin Islanders, as well as Ambassador Greer and his team’s “commitment to understanding and addressing the unique challenges facing the Virgin Islands”.
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27 Responses to “USVI Congresswoman Plasket takes charter fee increase fight to Washington ”
remember just like with the USA AND UK it is gift not a RIGHT!
so yall know yall trying circumvent the systems to get into these devloped countries you better stop or you and everyone else who was going about it the proper way will feel it!
and those trump ain playing with non of the carib countries i'd argue we ain get touch up or looked at yet cuz we under the uk banner which some of yall hate so much but that i wa saving we backside espically when it comes to the grey list situation . if we ever get black listed all them e commerce online shopping we luv so much will be blocked from us. we will go from 3rd world to 4th world
"The Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the British Virgin Islands (BVI)
consistently generate the most significant economic activity and revenue for the UK's Overseas Territories, primarily through finance, insurance, and global business, with the Caymans often leading in total GDP, followed by Bermuda's high GDP per capita, and BVI's crucial role in financial secrecy. These territories act as major financial centers, attracting investment and contributing heavily to global finance flows, making them economic powerhouses despite their small size." imagine that we stil look and operate like a 3rd world country look at those other two countries pics and google and compare to the bvi..... we suppose to have moder big buildings, good roads, modern services , online services etc but every big project we got inflated numbers to billions and millions only for the project to fail or come out cheap cheap and dont last..................
This is some really @#$%d up stuff when you think about it. This is like you have a car, a man has his car and he is free to drive his car but gets upset with you when you tell him it will cost him to drive in your car…WTF?
Del Stacy Plaskett, VI Delegate to US House of Representatives, is doing the job for which she was elected, ie., representing, advocating, etc., for the best interest for the people of the USVI. Her strongly representing for the people of the USVI may disadvantage the VI. She is doing her job. Similarly, Dr. Hon Premier Natalio Wheatley ( R/7) is also doing his job advocating for the people of the VI. They are both using the available tool in their tool boxes.