Appearing before the SFC recently, Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith said his department has had to seek temporary solutions to secure the boats safely when they are not in use.

According to the 2022 SFC Report, Smith told the Committee, “there were some discussions had about [keeping the vessels in] an area in Baugher’s Bay. There were also suggestions on utilising parts of BVI Ports, but they indicated they need all their space. Relevant contacts were made for sheltering during hurricane season [to private citizens]. One person has agreed to secure the boats. On a permanent basis a hanger type would be ideal.”

Smith has previously described the BVI as a transhipment point for transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drugs, and bulk cash smuggling. He said his departments fleet of vessels is important to police against these events.

Just last March, the VIP administration purchased a 39-foot, high-speed vessel for the Customs department — the fourth of its kind purchased by the Government of the Virgin Islands.

The latest vessel added to the Customs fleet is called The Searcher. The other vessels in the fleet are Predator, Vigilant, and Fearless.