Some local charter operators have expressed mixed feelings about the new policy changes Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced for the yachting industry recently.

With the new policy — which becomes effective today, November 15 — the government will no longer require BVI trade licenses from charter operators who are not based in the BVI and will also not require work permits for crew members working on those vessels. Premier Wheatley also said it will take some time to fully develop and implement the proposed changes, but advised that there is an immediate need to make the adjustments.

Irvin Lennard of Island Boys Charter said he was disappointed at the newly announced policy and said charter operators don’t understand the decision since no one explained the changes to them nor the way things are expected to be done.

“We’re only hearing that trade licenses are lifted for the outside boats, but we local boats still have to pay trade licenses. I don’t think that’s fair,” Lennard told ZBVI Radio this week.

New policy will make USVI drive BVI boaters out of business

The charter operator said he felt the new policy changes would have a serious effect on local boaters — with water taxis being affected in particular — since many local boats do transfers from St Thomas in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands (USVI).

Lennard said the USVI boaters can now offer services at lower rates than…