Governor Albert Bryan Jr. addresses federal officials during a September 17 meeting at the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C., flanked by territorial advisors. Bryan is pressing the British Virgin Islands to negotiate steep charter boat licensing fees alongside federal trade and border security agencies. Photo: USVI Government House

Nanny Cay Marina in the Virgin Islands filled with yachts. As the impasse regarding the increase in charter yacht fees by the Virgin Islands (VI) continues, United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr. met with the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Photo: Nanny Cay Resort & Marina/Facebook

According to a Virgin Islands Free Press article dated September 18, 2026, during the meeting, Governor Bryan formally proposed convening an emergency Inter-Virgin Islands Council meeting in the nation’s capital during the week of October 12.

Premier Wheatley has until Sept. 25 to respond

Governor Bryan also set a hard deadline demanding that Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) give formal commitment in writing by September 25, 2026. 

The VI Free Press article said the move follows direct inquiries from officials representing the U.S. Department of State, Homeland Security, Commerce, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Small  Business Administration, and the Department of the Interior regarding how Tortola’s maritime policies affect American-flagged vessels and cross-border trade.

Under the VI’s 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.

Escalating costs

In a statement on September 18, 2026, Governor Bryan said, “Our businesses cannot be expected to operate indefinitely under escalating costs, uncertain procedures, and requirements that affect their ability to compete and earn a living.”

However, Premier Wheatley defended the increase in fees, saying they had not been increased for decades. 

Bryan’s statement added, “We are neighbours, and our preference is to resolve this cooperatively. But we also have a responsibility to protect the economic interests of the people and businesses of the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

With talks now being moved to Washington and involving federal customs, trade, and border authorities, the Bryan-Roach Administration is signalling that the USVI no longer views this as a friendly local misunderstanding.

Government House warned that if Tortola refuses to negotiate or the talks fail, federal agencies could initiate regulatory reviews within their own jurisdictions regarding maritime safety, customs enforcement, transportation, and reciprocal border security.

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