ST. CROIX — Project Fair Waters, a coalition of marine-industry stakeholders based in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is urging swift reform to British Virgin Islands charter regulations after attending a stakeholder meeting last week in Road Town, Tortola.
The coalition warns the territory risks losing vessels without a revised framework in place before the sailing season ends. It now estimates more than 300 vessels have already shifted operations from the USVI to the BVI since new regulations took effect.
Under amendments to the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing Act implemented June 1, 2025, annual fees for foreign-based vessels seeking unlimited access to BVI waters surged to $24,000 from a previous maximum of $800 set in 1992. Day charter fees rose from $200 to $8,500. By comparison, BVI-based vessels now pay between $800 and $4,000 depending on size.
Shortly after the increases, the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association called on the USVI government to adopt reciprocal licensing fees for BVI vessels, noting that three USVI charter companies had already relocated to the BVI.
READ MORE: Three USVI charter companies relocate to BVI as VIPCA urges retaliation to increase in vessel fees
Project Fair Waters attended the Commercial Recreation Vessel License stakeholder meeting on April 7 where coalition lead Kosei Ohno presented a two-part proposal directly to BVI Premier and Minister of Finance Natalio Wheatley, according to a PFW press release.
The coalition’s first proposal calls for adjusting the CRVL fee schedule using the Consumer Price Index, benchmarked to 1992 — the last year the premier has acknowledged the fees were updated. Ohno discussed the proposal with WTJX.
“Rather than $24,000 representing like a 30-time increase over prior year, we increased our proposed structure to be $1,900, which will be representing the CPI increases for that period, which is roughly about 2.4 times the prior level,” Ohno said, adding that the coalition thinks its proposal is much more palatable and fair.
Project Fair Waters stated in its press release that a CPI-based structure would not only reduce the burden on USVI-based charter operators but would also cut fees for BVI-based operators by more than half compared to the current regime — creating greater reciprocity across the board. The coalition also noted that the BVI government has layered additional charges on commercial charters over the years, including cruising permit fees, environmental and tourism levies, security fees, exit taxes, and national park fees.
The second proposal calls for reciprocal unlimited access. Ohno noted in the press release that the USVI does not currently impose comparable access charges or trip limitations on BVI vessels and suggested that a reciprocal framework would better reflect the shared nature of what the coalition calls the Greater Virgin Islands Sailing Zone.
“Just as U.S. Virgin Islands provides unlimited access to BVI vessels, we think it’s important that U.S.-based vessels have reciprocal access in much the same way and have unlimited access to the BVI waters,” he said.
Ohno told WTJX that most charter vessels arrive in the Caribbean in October and November from the Mediterranean, cruise through the season, and depart by mid-May ahead of hurricane season to return to the Mediterranean or go to Florida.
“When those vessels leave the territory, we want them to leave with an understanding that there’s a framework in place that things will be worked out before the next season commences,” he said. “So, we have early on heard captains indicate their willingness to tolerate this season with increased fees and the long waits, which is another issue that needs to be solved — the time to go in and move between the two islands is too long.”
If the charter vessels leave the region after this season concludes without a framework in place, Ohno warned that reversing the negative perception would be an uphill battle.
“Next season, they’re looking elsewhere unless we can make some changes,” he said.
Ohno pointed out the two schedules the coalition is seeking to amend fall within Wheatley’s authority to change with the consent of his Cabinet.
“That is something the premier could undertake quickly, while the greater framework is potentially being ironed out long term,” he said.
At the conclusion of the forum, Ohno personally delivered a written request to Wheatley seeking a follow-up meeting. He said the premier indicated a willingness to meet, and that the coalition also held separate, unplanned meetings with BVI Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn and Melvin Turnbull, a member of the opposition faction known as The Alliance.
“We spent close to two hours discussing the many solutions that might be possible,” Ohno said. “We were very encouraged by their engagement.”
