I think some are missing the noise about "safety equipment"? Part of the process just like any hull in commercial use in US waters. First the boats registration, documentation, and paperwork must all be in order and submitted. Only then can a visit be scheduled with USCG be scheduled for an on boat inspection. The BVI is simply catching up to where Florida and rest of the US has been for many decades. Not an expert on the full set of BVI safety inspection rules. But, I have only been on a few BVI charter boats where the PFD's where actually labeled with the boat name. Many of the boats are equipped with PFD's for recreational use and not the type most authorities require for commercial open water operation. Then where are the PFD's stored. Stuffed down below out of the way is usually a fail. But the real issue is many of the large fleets did not or could not get their paperwork and fees in order to even schedule the onboard safety inspection. Yep, there is some local job creation in there. Some protectionist regulation to keep some of the none BVI boats away. But, America has enforced those type of rules with no forgiveness since before most of us were born.