The BVI's, a word of caution

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Jason Flare

Is it OK to not like something the government does?

Asking for a friend.

Well, in principle, yes. Remember that there isn't a "the government." There are many governments. In this case it is the government of another sovereign nation who has every right to act as they please.

Even in the US we aren't limited as to governments: Federal, state, county, city, town, tribal, ...

I'd also point out that there is a long way from not understanding a reasoning, to disliking a policy or practice, to saying something is wrong. One ought I believe proceed generally left to right. *grin*

I believe that the BVI is taking the approach they have as a deterrent that will act against a number of wrongdoers from minor to substantial. Given the potential for human damage from COVID, drugs, guns, and human trafficking I find their chosen policy at least tolerable and perhaps likeable.

Others, perhaps without insight into the bigger picture or even with it but feeling differently may dislike the choices.

That is different from someone entitled declaring a sovereign nation to be "wrong." "Wrong" is a big word.

The BVI government has long been a bit flaky from time to time. The airport runway extension comes to mind. In this matter they have my support and respect.

Over to @contrail. *grin*

[ccwoodhead]

Absolutely beautiful pics of Montana (my folks used to live in Bigfork)!


Also, to not digress, we have a good friend who has lived in BVI for the last 20 years, who said the local government has been the worse since he's lived there & that they'll most likely be voted out.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by ccwoodhead

Absolutely beautiful pics of Montana (my folks used to live in Bigfork)!

Ah, Bigfork is a wonderful town [albeit a bit tourist oriented what with its treasure of talented artists, sculptures and galleries], located along the northeast side of the Flathead Lake, where the Swan river enters and where the Mission Mountain range ends and the tremendous Swan Valley and Swan Mountain Range begins. About a 30 beautiful mile drive north from the Polson end of the lake. It is Montana's Christmas Village. A lovely river inlet, bay and harbor. We travelled to Bigfork a few weeks ago with my daughter to purchase a very unique sapphire for her wedding ring from Kehoe's, our family's favorite jem and jewelry store. Received pictures of her ring this week with its custom mounting made in Portland, Oregon. Yet another added fond family moment and memory of that grand village. Bigfork images attached, one viewing west towards the Flathead Lake and the other viewing east towards the Swan mountains and the Swan river valley, the Swan being the next range over further to the east from the Flathead / Mission Valley and Lake.

[Old fella]

Originally Posted by Jason Flare

Is it OK to not like something the government does?

Asking for a friend.

Jason, you must have one hell of a long list. Oh sorry, who’s government were you talking about.

[contrail]

Originally Posted by ccwoodhead

Absolutely beautiful pics of Montana (my folks used to live in Bigfork)!


Also, to not digress, we have a good friend who has lived in BVI for the last 20 years, who said the local government has been the worse since he's lived there & that they'll most likely be voted out.

I don't disagree, although "worst" is a big word. From it's election victory in early 2019, through about June of this year, a huge majority would have given them a big thumbs up. Many new things, admitting about 1500 people who have lived here for 20 plus years to belongership, the list of accomplishments was long, as your friend will tell you. They got kudos for there early handling of Covid, and keeping it pretty much out.


Along in the summer, they lost the track when it came to planning for a re-opening. After the Government, the Tourist sector is by far the largest employer, with about 40% of the work force. The revenue trickles down throughout the economy. The biggest revenue for the Government, however, is the financial sector, which, while it may not last forever, was not badly affected by Covid. As time went by, it became clearer and clearer that, whilst the Government was loosing its tourist revenue, it still had its more substantial revenue from the financial sector. And, as long as the massive Government workforce was being paid, it had lots of support for continuing the border closures. Meanwhile, the Tourist Sector, and all the other private enterprises that depend upon it, literally dried up. As the cries for help increased, the Government became more obstinate, and less transparent, and, sad to say, outright lied. The Premier has deliberately stoked disagreement with the Governor, who literally saved the day, post Irma, and also with the BVI Government. While the Government ignored the input from the Private Sector, as to best ways of re-opening, and touted it's much ballyhooed "plan", which has yet to see light of day, in fact it seemed much more focused on proving itself right, when it was wrong. Auspicious, I hate to say it, but in the just released budget for next year, there are stirrings for that airport expansion, again!



The actual weeks leading up to the opening on December 1 have been a farce. And, yes, your friend is correct. If there were an election held today, notwithstanding all the goodwill earned over it's first year and a half in office, the Government would probably lose, if another party organizes itself, which has yet to happen. And I am one of those who has lost patience with a Government I was previously deeply impressed by.


But that is not what this thread has been about. Our politics have been an internal matter, and any duly elected Government has the right to carry out its perceived mandate. We have, after all, been safer than almost any other country, regarding Covid.


This thread has been about a group of tourists who, it is now clear, were just sailing around, not going anywhere, fully knowing of the border closure and that they had crossed to BVI waters, who simply thought they could ignore everything because they didn't touch land. They were in an exclusion zone that we, residents and citizens of the BVI, have not been allowed to access in an effort to stop the real practice of illegal transit, drug and human traffic. They were interdicted, then held in quarantine, and ultimately fined $1000 each. Not unreasonable. But apparently unacceptable to a cohort of people from armchair sailors to cruisers (who apparently are in that group who don't care to understand and respect other peoples laws and situations) to entitled people who are screaming that another country may not yet be keen on hosting their vacations.



The BVI Government and the people are two different entities. Governments come and they go, and I would hope that people would understand that a huge part of our population is eagerly waiting to welcome tourists, but counting on the fact that those same tourists will honour regulations that were instituted to keep the Territory from being flattened by a huge flare-up, AS WE HAVE SEEN IN TOO MANY OTHER PLACES! Being a US citizen, myself, I am keenly aware of how frustrating it is to have a Government's policies get translated as the opinion of the vast majority, in the eyes of citizens of other countries. It is not easy being an American, in most of the world, these days. I hope we can be more open minded regarding the population of the BVI.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

Florida is a stand-your-ground state, so if you encounter someone without a mask....

But those are the ones most likely to be heavily armed.

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by ccwoodhead

This was forwarded to us by the Salty Dawg folks: "[INDENT][INDENT][CENTER][CENTER][CENTER][CENTER][CENTER]BE CAREFUL OUT THERE

After delivering an Outbound 46 from Newport, RI to St Thomas last week, the owner Kevin Gregory, crew Andrew Dunbar, and myself went for a day sail to ease into society after nine days at sea. On Wednesday (Nov. 18), we were heading to Francis Bay, St John, USVI when we unwittingly sailed two miles beyond the US border, into BVI waters.

Within minutes a black hulled POLICE RIB pulls along and tells us to “stop the boat.” After brief questioning, the officer phoned his superiors, completes the call, requests our passports and ships documents, and escorts us to West End, BVI for processing.

While powering in, Kevin, a St Thomas resident was busily phoning attorneys and references to defend our case. Upon arrival at the customs dock, charges were filed for failure to report in upon entry to BVI water and failure to submit paperwork within 12 hours.

The essence here is that we weren’t intending to clear into BVI because our ultimate destination was a US harbor. However, after 27 hours and a $20,000 fine, we were released. Kevin was not allowed to take an exception before signing the admission of guilt.

Before we left, the BVI police brought in a US flagged 45’ yawl with two elderly couples, presumably for similar treatment, eventually escorting them to Road Harbour for processing. This is a money grab, be careful out there."

- Jim Whistle

I just don't get it. It is their country and they don't want you to be in it. What is so hard about that for you to understand?

[Jason Flare]

Originally Posted by lestersails

I just don't get it. It is their country and they don't want you to be in it. What is so hard about that for you to understand?

I think everyone here understands exactly that.

[Montanan]

Would be nice to stay on point with postings. More sharing of facts less opining would be preferred.

BVI Travellers Staying On Vessels Subject To Quarantine
Press Release

https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/trav...ect-quarantine

Premier's Office
Ministry of Health & Social Development
Topics: National and Marine Parks, Novel Coronavirus
Release Date:
Wednesday, 2 December 2020 - 5:17pm
The Government of the Virgin Islands has officially reopened its borders to residents and visitors on December 1st, 2020.

All persons who arrive in the Territory must enter quarantine for a period of four complete days. Persons quarantining on an approved vessel must anchor or dock at the approved mooring sites throughout the duration of the mandatory four day quarantine.

Additionally, vessels are allowed restricted movement in the Territorial waters amongst the areas approved for quarantine mooring sites. Landing on any site is restricted until guests have received an Arrival Day/Day 0 negative PCR test result.

The public is also reminded that vessels must be provisioned before guests arrive and board. The vessel, guests, the entire party and the 30 foot radius around the vessel make up your “mobile bubble.” This “mobile bubble” allow guests to swim and enjoy our Territory within the specified 30 foot radius of the vessel.

Vessels can also visit the list of marine approved sites in the Territory, however vessels are to be anchored or docked by 6:00 p.m. daily at an approved mooring site until 5:00 a.m. the next day.

For further information email reopening@bvitourism.com or WhatsApp 284-496-6129.

[contrail]

Well, the BVI Government just announced that the seaports, which handle the ferries and were supposed to open tomorrow, will not open until January 21! The Government will help those arriving in St. Thomas in the next few days to get to the BVI by air. Piss Poor Planning makes for Poor Performance. Sad

[dwedeking2]

I think where a lot of frustration comes from is how these plans are implemented (not just the BVI but in a lot of tourist areas, I see it a lot here in Key West). Last minute changes, extensions etc that put at risk plans and money for the tourists. That unknown is causing people to cancel and look for travels elsewhere. I believe the tourist industry would be better served if they took a more conservative route (say longer closures etc), as it will allow for a quicker economic recovery down the road.



And I'm one for just opening things up in general, it's just this on again/off again is worse than a complete closure in regards to consumer confidence in your product.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by dwedeking2

That unknown is causing people to cancel and look for travels elsewhere.

People should STFH. Leisure travelers increase the risk of those of us who must travel for business.

[dwedeking2]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

People should STFH. Leisure travelers increase the risk of those of us who must travel for business.

lol, like a delivery captain is an essential service. They should close down tourism so you can travel.

[Joli]

Originally Posted by contrail

Well, the BVI Government just announced that the seaports, which handle the ferries and were supposed to open tomorrow, will not open until January 21! The Government will help those arriving in St. Thomas in the next few days to get to the BVI by air. Piss Poor Planning makes for Poor Performance. Sad

Well, if a boat sailing by 3 miles offshore is a covid risk then shuttling folks between islands isn't going to be possible. How can it be without significant risk? If the goal is zero infections then the only realistic option is zero travel.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by dwedeking2

lol, like a delivery captain is an essential service. They should close down tourism so you can travel.

I wouldn't think so, but states said I was transportation infrastructure. Who am I to argue?

Regardless, and even if it means me staying home, traveling for leisure strikes me as a stunningly bad idea in a pandemic. STFH. Avoid family events outside your household. Avoid gatherings including restaurants. Note that eating in a tent in a parking lot is not outdoors, just uncomfortable. Learn to cook. Take advantage of curbside pickup and only patronize businesses that support it.

To your point I reiterate STFH, even if that means I can't work.