USVI Actions ‘Not Friendly’ - Premier Open To Talks In BVI

The USVI’s escalation of the charter vessel fee dispute to Washington came as a “real surprise” to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley, who described the approach as unfortunate and said Governor Albert Bryan Jr. could have called him directly.

Speaking on the Government’s programme, Virgin Islands Voice, on Wednesday evening, September 30, Wheatley said he remains willing to meet in the BVI in response to Bryan’s push for talks in Washington in October.

“It’s not friendly to impose deadlines on your friends in that type of way,” he said. “I would have much preferred for the governor of the United States Virgin Islands to pick up the phone and call me.”

Wheatley confirmed that Bryan had also written to him, repeating the deadline for a Washington meeting, and that he had responded.

“I’ve written back to the governor and I’ve informed him that there’s really no need for us to escalate the issue to the United States,” he stated.

He pointed to the existing Inter-Virgin Islands Council as a framework for engagement between the neighbouring territories.

“We are open to having a meeting here in the Virgin Islands and to further engage on the issue,” Wheatley said.

Bryan is seeking October talks involving US federal officials before possible restrictions or other measures against the BVI were considered. Bryan said pressure from USVI marine businesses and their attorneys had brought the dispute to Washington.

Wheatley maintained that Bryan had participated in discussions before the revised fees were introduced and understood the BVI’s position. He said the negotiations produced concessions for day-trip operators and a payment option covering additional visits after seven trips.

According to the Premier, those discussions followed earlier cooperation on reciprocal arrangements to ease work permit and business licensing requirements for charter operators.

“So it came as a real surprise… especially as it pertains seeking to escalate things to the United States,” he said.

Defending the fees, Wheatley said the BVI has a right to earn revenue from commercial use of its waters to support schools, healthcare and roads, particularly as it receives no budgetary support from the United Kingdom or anyone else.

He said the legislation had remained unchanged since 1992, with annual licence fees of $400 or $800 even as some weekly charters earned $90,000 or $100,000.

“If you’re going to come and sail the waters, it’s important that you give something back,” he said.

Wheatley clarified that the licences apply to commercial charter activity. Private sailors remain subject to regular immigration procedures.

Local charter operators also faced increases, he said, although their rates reflect their wider contributions through provisioning, repairs and marina rentals. The foreign-vessel fees apply to operators from all jurisdictions.

“Nothing we have done is targeted [at] the United States Virgin Islands specifically,” he said.

Wheatley expressed hope that further engagement would allow the territories to reset their relationship and continue working together “in a constructive, friendly manner”.