The Premier said this was a topic of discussion during the recent Inter-Virgin Islands Council meeting in the USVI last week.

“We discussed pleasure-boating, charter yachts, day-trippers, etcetera. We have come to some agreements in principle. There is a Memorandum of Understanding that we are going to be signing as it pertains to that. I do not want to give too many details as we finalise it,” Premier Wheatley said. “Certainly, in the mutual interest of BVI and USVI, fairness and reciprocity, and mutual respect are the principles that underpin the relationship between the USVI and the BVI. I am quite pleased with the meeting we had. We were able to resolve a number of issues and more details will be provided on that.”

He noted that while they have not discussed a reduction in rates and fees paid by boaters, his government will be looking at the legislation that governs the movements of boaters travelling between the two territories as it was changed during the pandemic period.

“So, in principle, we are going to take a look at some of the provisions in that legislation that may have caused problems for boaters coming backwards and forward. Again, details can be forthcoming,” Dr Wheatley said.

He added that boaters can traverse the waters back and forth as is common and that has been happening between the two territories for centuries. However, these latest discussions surround making the process easier as it pertains to things like business licenses and work permits.