My analysis to follow later on this, but I know some people will want this information passed on through the charter yachts society.
Attention ALL members:
Find attached recent amendments to Ports Authority Regulations which relates to every boat coming and going in the territory. Enforcement of these amendments will be effective July 15th.
These regulations were posted on line as well as printed in local newspapers, however at the time of their release there was much confusion as to whom they would be applied and how. As a result of numerous phone calls to various government departments, a short notice meeting was called. The CYS was requested to invite representatives from various sub sectors in the yachting community. Other attendees to the meeting included Bob Carson (Southern Trades/CharterPort BVI), Trefor Grant (Village Cay), Nic Parton (First Choice Marine) & Miles Pilch (Nanny Cay Marina). The meeting afforded all of us the opportunity to pose questions directly to the Minister of Communications & Works, Customs, Ports Authority and VISR. The meeting went reasonably well for charter yachts.
Whilst subsequent meetings are inevitable, to date this is where we stand in the crewed yacht sector; every boat coming and going in the territory will be required to pay port fees of $1.00 per foot for the first day in BVI waters, 75 cents per foot for the 2nd day and 50 cents per foot for EVERY day in BVI waters thereafter. Customs are expected to be collecting these fees.
The only exemptions are:
You are flagged in the BVI – (and you hold a have Small Commercial Vessel Certificate (from VI Shipping Registry)
You hold an Annual Recreational Commercial Vessels License and you have a Small Commercial Vessel Certificate (Blue Code/Yellow Code compliance) issued by the VI Shipping Registry (Capt Pat’s office), Many of you applied for this certificate several years ago. Since then some have been certified, others have pending applications and others have held onto the hope that this safety requirement would go away. It hasn’t.
You will need to produce:
a stamped copy of your application OR
a copy of your certificate
If you are a yacht which has a certificate, or a provisional certificate please advise us. It would be good to have those statistics available
3. A belonger owns at least fifty-one percent shares
PLUS You have a base marina in the BVI from which you operate (interpreted not to mean a specific slip) or a registered BVI mooring buoy.
IMPORTANT: Exempt yachts will be required to pay the Harbour Charges of $1/foot per day. Subsequent days will not be charged
