Since government enacted the Cruising and Home Port Permit Act 2021, boat operators in the territory have been steadily coming into compliance with the rules, then-acting Customs Commissioner Leslie Lettsome reportedly told the Standing Finance Committee during its Dec. 1-7 deliberations.
According to a report on the closed-door SFC proceedings, Mr. Lettsome said his agency cooperates “with the industry as they continue to meet the requirements of the laws of the Virgin Islands.”
Last March, 184 charter boats were detained across at least three companies for alleged safety issues and other violations of the Commercial Recreational Vessel Licensing Act of 1992 and the Cruising and Home Port Permit Act of 2021, officials said at the time.
Charter operators blamed shipping delays and other issues for their non-compliance and pledged to work with officials to comply.
Cooperation
Mr. Lettsome also told the SFC in December that in recent months working relationships “have been second to none” among his agency; the VI Shipping Registry; the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs; the Department of Labour and Workforce Development; and the Immigration Department.
As a result, the Customs Department has enhanced enforcement efforts, resulting in increases in annual inspections; registration renewals; new applications for registering vessels; new and renewed trade licences; and work permit applications, he said.
In December, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced that foreign-based water taxis and day charters that come into the VI can now process paperwork and fees online through a newly established Commercial Recreations Vessel Licensing Unit.
Through such initiatives, the government hopes to streamline the application process for foreign-based charters. Applications for cruising permits continue to be processed by the Customs Department.