TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands BVI...Harbour Charge

Just got taxed with this new gem of a fee. West end. Went through typical process, and as we are casting off in our dinghy the official Harbour master approaches us and says we didn’t pay our Harbour fee. Questioned him up and down. New since August 1. Based on length of boat. $1 per foot. All Harbours in BVI. Once per trip. I call bogus. If dinghy is over 15 feet you get charged for that too. Anyone else have this new fee incurred?

I did not get charged this when clearing in at Great Harbour on a private catamaran on Oct 25.

Short version.

I checked in great Harbour yesterday. No charge.

Dropped off passengers today in St. John. Roam app.

Checked back in at west end today and charged this new fee. He claims it’s all ports.

On another note I was open with customs and immigration re passenger drop off, etc. and only charged $10 today.

Private vessel as well.

Next month the are introducing a new sunlight fee. All boats in the BVI will be required to pay 1 dollar per foot of boat length for each day the sun shines while on charter.
G

Interesting: Did not know there was a Official Harbor Master there. Did he give you an official receipt?
Will avoid West End for this (and other) reasons.

I was charged this at Spanish Town when I checked in late August. I tried to argue and the clerk checked twice with his manager and assured me it was a new fee they had to charge. Right up there with the "environmental" fee per person as you enter on ferry or by plane. Irritating grab of money every time you do anything.

Checked in via private vessel at West End two weeks ago and was not charged this.