The BVI's, a word of caution

[Mickeyrouse]

My, my. Next thing they’ll restrict entry from Muslim countries.

[GoinSumWare]

Originally Posted by Dooglas

So the government of the BVI should give up on trying to protect their own citizens, and let passing cruisers do whatever they want during this pandemic? Never mind that most every country on Earth has implemented many restrictions to protect their citizens, despite substantial economic consequences. The BVI should ashamed of doing anything that limits the choices of independent-minded cruisers? Isn't that a little self-centered?

Can you please explain exactly HOW impounding and fining vessels which make innocent passage through the Narrows between USVI and BVI, with no intention of making landfall (as you yourself said, they are PASSING cruisers), protects the citizens of the BVI? We are talking about boats straying 1/4 over a line in the water for a short period of time, NOT people cruising into port. Plus what sense does it make to take people who are far offshore into port, if that is what you are trying to prevent?

[GoinSumWare]

Originally Posted by frantzjoe

A lot of anger here. Perhaps the islands would be better off without those who feel so entitled. We have been in the BVI every year since 1978, at least once per year. I believe they are looking at it as a matter of life and death, which it is. There are very limited health care services in the BVI. It is their country. Obviously, they have a different approach to this health crisis than the U.S.
I think that that their feeling is that they will protect their health first. Then, after a relatively short period of time - 8 months - which were primarily low season/hurricane season they will be open with few restrictions, none onerous.
Beginning next week charterers will need a negative Covid test before the flight and again upon arrival.
Take a taxi directly to the charter yacht which must be provisioned for 4 days. Leave the dock directly upon arrival And stay on the boat for the first 4 days, something most of us do anyway. You can go to Benures, the Bight, Little or Great Harbour, Deadman’s, Manchioneel or wherever you prefer. Snorkel,dive, use the SUP, kayak, swim, get drunk, whatever. With water makers on most charter boats now, for us the biggest and only difference from the usual 4 days would be air fills for our SCUBA tanks. There may be a work around for that with tank exchanges brought out to the anchorages.
Then, after 4 days, a third negative Covid test. With that you can do what you usually do - reprovision, get airfills, go out to dinner, get drunk, et cetera.
I like it. Quieter, less crowded, more likely to get serious, careful sailors instead of party animals. They can party back home just as well as in the BVI.
It seems to me that the folks in the BVI are taking a thoughtful, careful approach, looking at the Lomb term physical health of their people as well as their charter-yacht based economy.
As a boat owner and an older one at 73, I applaud and appreciate their approach. There is an old saying that patience is a virtue.
In the U.S. there is an obviously different approach. I am guessing the person posting this is from the U.S.

Can you please explain exactly HOW impounding and fining vessels which make innocent passage through the Narrows between USVI and BVI, with no intention of making landfall is "a matter of life and death"? We are talking about boats straying 1/4 over a line in the water for a short period of time, NOT people cruising into port or anchoring or entering the country for charter, which is what your were talking about. Hardly the same thing. Plus what sense does it make to take people who are far offshore into port, if that is what you are trying to prevent?

BTW, since you felt the need to mention the US, what is your opinion about efforts by the US to secure its borders? Perhaps illegals crossing the southern border could be fined $20,000 each to protect US citizens. Or is that something reserved for people with boats who a government assumes are financially able to put money in their coffers?

[Windcall]

I seem to remember that the BVI discourages travel at night, good lord you can get to an anchorage, dock or mooring in plently of time. Go through Custons, not that hard.

[ccwoodhead]

This was forwarded to us by the Salty Dawg folks: "

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

[hpeer]

Back near the middle of June we transited direct from Dominica to NC. We passed between the USVI’s and Clubera. We could just as easily passed through BVI waters.

There but for the grace of God go we.

[Auspicious]

Another instance: https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/...virgin-islands

[gonesail]

Originally Posted by ccwoodhead

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.

sadly .. it sounds a lot like Cuba or Communist China

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by gonesail

sadly .. it sounds a lot like Cuba or Communist China

You weren't out on Chesapeake Bay when the State of Maryland shut it down earlier in the year.

You haven't triggered some threshold coming into Ft Lauderdale from offshore and stopped for an inspection.

Coming into Newport last Spring we were stopped and while permitted to proceed were escorted to the dock to which we said we were going.

You haven't jumped through hoops as a US citizen to get into the USVI direct from mainland US.

This isn't about politics. It is about governments of countries doing the best they can to protect their citizens and economies.

[Tonali99]

Originally Posted by GoinSumWare

Can you please explain exactly HOW impounding and fining vessels which make innocent passage through the Narrows between USVI and BVI, with no intention of making landfall is "a matter of life and death"? We are talking about boats straying 1/4 over a line in the water for a short period of time, NOT people cruising into port or anchoring or entering the country for charter, which is what your were talking about. Hardly the same thing. Plus what sense does it make to take people who are far offshore into port, if that is what you are trying to prevent?

BTW, since you felt the need to mention the US, what is your opinion about efforts by the US to secure its borders? Perhaps illegals crossing the southern border could be fined $20,000 each to protect US citizens. Or is that something reserved for people with boats who a government assumes are financially able to put money in their coffers?

Rule of the three thumbs in the US.
If you have no money, you're screwed.
If you have enough to pay the fine, you're screwed.
If you have enough to hire lawyers, you're good to go.

[sail4evr]

The title of this thread is kind of oen ended so I will digress from the issue of illegal entry.
I have a charter boat, self operated and when we bring guests from ST Thomas or pick them up in the BVI, we pay a cruising fee other wise known a s a cruising permit. Taking guests other than your son is illegal with out the permit.
The bvi has a history of trying to get charter boats to pay the hotel and occupancy tax, but was shot down and or held off by increases in the cruising tax.
Recently, I don't know when it started but AirBnB started collecting the hotel & occupancy tax for the BVI and sending it on to the BVi. Now that is fime for hotels and shoreside facilities because there is no way to tax all those independents. Quite different for charter boats who have to pay to get into the country with guests.
Bottom line is people who charter boats through AirBnB will pay a double tax. I have brought this to the attention of AirBNb many times and have an ongoing thread with AirBnB support where in they keep saying they are referring the matter to other support personel, but noresonse other than to quote their deal with the BVI. SO was it their resposibiity to notify AirBnB that they were collecting a cruising tax?
To my knowledge VRBO (HomeAway) doesn't charge boating charters a hotel and occupancy tax.
It is hard to believe that the BVI doesn't know that AirBnB is charging charter boats and they knowingly charge a cruising tax on top of that. This would likely be called double dipping. I am all-inclusive except for fees which I pass on to the guests. I hesitate to use the word conspiracy by the BVI gov to doube-dip in this manner because the government has been known to make stupid mistakes.
Since it is the guests who get screwed, I suggest VRBO as the solution since AirBnB is unwilling to comment on this issue 10% of the charter fee is a significant amount of money.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by sail4evr

... I hesitate to use the word conspiracy by the BVI gov to doube-dip in this manner because the government has been known to make stupid mistakes...

Hanlon's razor: "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"

[TheLuckyone]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

... This isn't about politics. It is about governments of countries doing the best they can to protect their citizens and economies.

Bullturkey. If it was about protecting the health and wellbeing of their citizens, they'd turn away those folks that have strayed over the border at sea. By seizing the boats in question, they're increasing the risk to their citizens.Instead of taking the reasonable policing action, they're taking the heavy handed authoritative approach. That's not a government or a society I care to support.

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

Cruisers leaving the US who would rather check into the Bahamas in the Berries or Green Turtle Cay but anchor on the banks in denial of law.

I'm not sure I understand this sentence.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by TheLuckyone

Bullturkey. If it was about protecting the health and wellbeing of their citizens, they'd turn away those folks that have strayed over the border at sea. By seizing the boats in question, they're increasing the risk to their citizens.Instead of taking the reasonable policing action, they're taking the heavy handed authoritative approach. That's not a government or a society I care to support.

I think they are accomplishing exactly what they intended. The cruising community is spreading the word for them among those who can't/couldn't be bothered to do their research. This greatly reduces the burden on their limited resources to patrol.

This is also entirely consistent with their approach on other matters such as fishing without a license. Big fines are a deterrent.

Originally Posted by capn_billl

I'm not sure I understand this sentence.

When entering a country you are supposed to proceed directly and without stopping to the nearest port of entry. Anchoring enroute is stopping and no different from landing on a beach. It is illegal. Try that coming into the US.