TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Charter from USVI to BVI?

Hi,
We are chartering a catamaran in St Thomas for a week and would like to spend most of our time in the BVI. Are we allowed to enter the BVI for a week on a charter from the USVI? We are all vaccinated if the J&J vaccine counts...are two doses required to be considered vaccinated? Can we check in at Jost Van Dyke as we used to? We were scheduled for this charter in 2020 and then pushed it to 2021 and now trying in 2022 so hoping we can get into the BVI. I appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks!

That depends on your charter yacht company and how the boat is documented. Suggest you start there. If not documented correctly, the answer is probably not this trip due to BVI regulations.

I have been back and forth from BVI to USVI in my boat(which is in a charter fleet in BVI) and almost like precovid... However, I believe rule are different for "charter" boats and as Carolina Sailor stated, it depends on if vessel is properly registered in BVI..... Check with your charter company (And let us know).

Deepcut and Carolina Sailor are correct - it depends on the registration and credentials of each particular boat. Our boat is in the same charter fleet as Deepcut’s - BVI based and properly registered and credentialed. There are different regulations and requirements for non-BVI based boats and especially non-BVI charter boats. Only your charter company can provide info on the particular boat in question. Covid testing (48 hours) is required to enter BVI and then return to USVI - currently 5 day testing for return to USVI via sea (but all passengers must be fully vaxxed or a special exemption is required from USVI). Check-in and clearance for vaccinated passengers and properly registered boats is West End or Road Town. I don’t believe JVD has been added to the mix yet (aside from ferry arrivals).

So some very disappointing news...our charter company Virgin Island Yacht Charters said they are restricting us from going to the BVI. No other detail. Not sure if it is a BVI regulation issue or just their rule. I asked to bump our charter from this June to next June and they said no. I don't know if I could have found a charter on short notice in the BVI but I was hoping to try. My family is very disappointed. We had reservations at various restaurants/marinas. In the scope of life...not a big deal but I wanted others to know. You can't assume if you are chartering from the USVI that you can go into the BVI even with all of the required vaccinations and tests. COVID has changed things and unfortunately not for the better. Next year, we will book in the BVI.

I feel for you and your family. On the other hand, there is a lot to see and do while sailing the USVI. IMO, the BVI is being protectionist of their charter industry in order to support the companies that have invested in BVI operations, that provide employment to BVI workers, and that pay BVI taxes. Given the multiple negative financial impacts of the hurricanes and covid, probably appropriate.

When in June do you want to go?

We did a USVI charter in November and totally enjoyed exploring St John. There is pleny to do and see. Yes it is different than BVI but I would diffentley recommend it. Capt Jay and others have posted iterranies for doing an only USVI charter. Having done the USVI to BVI multiple times prior, I too was originally disappointed but we walked away from this charter having a great time.

Just got back from a 10 Charter yesterday. What I don't understand is, why a sailboat from the USVI can not come to the BVI from the USVI, but tons of Puerta Rican power boats are there. We where at Bitter End and I swear there where 75 big fishing boats staying on the dock. Maybe I'm wrong, but seams like a double standard.

Bo

It's all about following the rules. It's not a generic rule against the USVI charter boats. I can be done but they have to register properly and have the correct permits to bring a commercial vessel into the BVI.

The PR boats are private boats, not commercial charter boats.

We will be arriving June 5th and heading out on our week long charter on June 6th. After reading some of the posts earlier I didn't understand that privately owned boats could go from USVI to BVI and charters could not...according to BVI regulations not the charter company. I thought as long as we met the COVID protocols we were good to go. It's hard to understand why if we are vaccinated and negative we can't go in simply because we chartering a boat instead of owning one. I know USVI has some beautiful scenery and good snorkeling, we will have fun.

Speak to your charter company and they should be able to explain what documentation the vessel is missing to be able to enter the BVI.

Or maybe (wouldn't hold my breath) they have a boat you could cross over with and you could use instead - once they know your desires.

Never hurts to ask!

Thanks for all of the positive responses. I really do appreciate it. I did speak with the charter company...once last week and then after talking with my family who is going on the charter, they encouraged me to ask again...which I did yesterday. Since it was an email response, I don't want to read too much into it, but I got the sense they were not happy I asked a second time. The reply put it squarely on the BVI that "no charter boats with a foreign flag my enter the BVI"..."ALL USVI charter based companies are restricted"...yes it was upper case. I didn't think I was out of line to ask a second time and I tried to be very polite. But I guess it was too much...I clearly thought BVI entry, assuming the correct boat registration, was based on the COVID protocols for the individuals and not all charters were restricted. COVID has made everything more complex and even planning a vacation has become a "boatload" of frustration. I do feel bad I annoyed them. That was definitely not what I was expecting. Now to work on my itinerary for the USVI and cancel my Leverick reservations...I will sure miss the North Sound.

I suspect the BVI was stung by charter companies relocating boats to the USVI during the covid lockdown. The USVI was really booming. They are taking a stance to try and prevent a big resurgence in the USVI charter industry.

Great point George, and maybe the best explanation of why things got to where they were.

HM Customs is hosting a webinar on May 2, 10:30a-12:00p to discuss the requirements for foreign based companies or boats to conduct charters in the BVI.

Here's a link to their "guidelines" document:
http://bvi.gov.vg/sites/default/files/foreign_charter_companies_guide_brochure_revised.pdf

They distinguish between vessels:
A. "Not Regularly Engaged in Charter" (no more than 2 in a 3-month period and no more than 5 within the charter season, Nov 1 to Oct 31, within the BVI)
B. "Regularly Engaged in Charter" (daily and weekly charters within BVI
C. "Frequently Engaged in Charter" (more than 2 in a 3-month period, or more than 5 within the charter season, but less than daily and weekly charters)

The company needs to provide a Charter Operational Plan to the Commissioner of Customs with the intended types of charter, vessels in fleet (with Certificate of Registration - VI Shipping Registry letter of recognition, Safety Commercial Vessel Certificates, Vessel Insurance), and presumably just for crewed charters the Crew List and Certificates (Captains license, STCW and other certificates for the crew, passport copy).

For Category A, also need to provide Business License or Certificate of Incorporation, List of Directors, Good Standing Certificate/financials, Written Authorization from owner of each vessel to use in charter operation. Charter Authorization applications need to be made in person at HM Customs Headquarters with processing time of 1-5 days.

For Category B& C foreign charter companies, need to also provide Incorporation Information (register of members/directors/certificate of incorporation), good standing certificate. Trade License applications need to be made in person at HM Customs with processign time of 1-5 days.

There are also numerous documentation requirements and work permit applications required for any paid captain and crew.


There are probably some BVI Agents advertising their services to USVI charter companies and other foreign based charter companies.

I have had discussions with the principle in this company, which when reasonable question asked, went "sideways". You were not out of line to ask.

And I am going to bet the charter company has been asked this question more than a few times, giving them more frustration that people "just don't understand what we're going thru." With the advent of CoVid, the general decline of customer service and levels of irritability seem to have accelerated - and you might have been caught in the downdraft.

You're gonna have a great trip, regardless. Next trip will just be in the BVI!

Have fun!

I think it has very little to do with Covid at this point. Entry to the USVI and BVI is pretty easy, and as George noted, the USVI thrived during the BVI Covid lockdowns.

It is about the BVI requirements for charter boats to enter the BVI: your charter company hasn't devoted the money and staff to make it possible.

What does your contract say? Some people's contracts say they can cruise the US and BVI. If they can't live up to that, and if you can find a boat in the BVI, you could try to get out of your original contract. Otherwise you will enjoy your vacation and book in the BVI next time!

Thanks for all of the great information and insights into my situation. Now that I am thinking about next year in BVI, I was wondering who you would recommend to charter from? We plan on going early/mid June 2023 and need four cabins. Hints for when to book our charter to get the best pricing? Our very fist charter we used BVI Yacht Charters.

Voyage or TMM.

TMM - several owners here with 4 cabin Lagoons - excellent boats - that you should connect with. We are booking our 3 cabin for next year now - already have bookings for May and June so I would do so ASAP.

Voyage Yacht Charters. Give discount for early booking. Great newer boats.

TMM Charters
Sea Tiger is a 2022 Lagoon 46 with 4 cabins/4 heads and many upgrades.


Contact me for Direct from Owner info/discounts