Zero-tolerance for charter boats & yachts found breaking VI laws - HM Customs
The comes amidst allegations by some tourists and even boat captains and crews, that even at nights, Customs Officers are frequenting their vessel and conducting checks.
Customs checking for compliance - Dept Director Tashima Martin
Speaking on JTV The Big Story on December 14, 2021, Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Ms Tashima Martin said that this is being done in addition to the screening process and compliance checks.
"I am not sure about knocking on doors late at night, however, we have our marine units that go out and check for compliance," she said.
According to Ms Martin, in addition, persons simply need to comply to safety requirements, "submit your applications and pay your fees, that’s all we are asking you to do."
Ms Martin said the hardest part seems to be the safety requirements, “And that’s very sad because you are basically saying I don’t care."
However, she made it very clear, that her department will be strict with those found breaking the law.
"We have a no-tolerance policy for that, but we are out there doing our compliance checks making sure who are out there on charters, that they have their necessary licenses and certificates and even making sure they are certified on that vessel as it relates to charter."
Premier backs campaign
Ms Martin said that once they are found to be fully compliant, the department knows that persons are responsible and understand the importance of safety of their quests, in addition to being trained to handle any issues that may arise.
Last Friday, December 10, 2021, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) while responding to questions on the issue said he will not subscribe to a two-tiered system of justice.
"If Law enforcement officers feel suspicious activities that are happening on the sea and they search a yacht... Yes, they are visitors but they are not exempted from the law," the Premier said.
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34 Responses to “Zero-tolerance for charter boats & yachts found breaking VI laws - HM Customs”
Uk if you care anything about the BVI or its people please step in before it's too late.
Meanwhile, HM Customs is doing their utmost to undermine the slogans: "BVI Love" and "The Sailing Capital of the World", and replace them with "Nature's Dirty Little Secret".
Who would want to come on holiday to experience THAT?!?!
So, lets just keep picking on the tourists who are spending money and ignore our own.
incorrect statement - All BVI boats have to clear in the USVI
2. Try and just be on a boat around the USA coastguard without safety gear. Impossible.
3. Yes. BVI authorities. Your approach to this and your people skills could be improved.
4. Please go digital so you don’t harass the same boats in the same week.
The latest quagmire created by intransigent and myopic policies at HM Customs, together with a logjam at a punctilious Labour Dept. are damaging to the economy, and have caused me to think that perhaps radical change is required, and that the Virgin Islands needs to learn to sink-or-swim on their own.
Pay airport taxes
Pay for testing im sure government getting a cut out of this
Pay for taxi
Pay for local provisioning
They go to bars and restaurants all islands
They pay for mooring balls all islands
They purchase water and fuel
They still buy souvenirs
They pay cruising and visor fees and national parks fees
Maybe many more i do not remember
So run them out and bring in cruise ships. Like that make sense.
As a single private super yacht that spends over 100k in the territory every winter… I don’t understand WHY it’s been made so difficult for us to visit. Myself and other super/mega yachts will be skipping the territory again this season and cruising the grenadines where we are welcomed. I hope the government realise the damage they are doing to the people and businesses of the BVI.