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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: sail2wind]
#38009
02/04/2015 02:43 PM
02/04/2015 02:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
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We paid our $ 6.50 annual gross tonnage fee in January. No port authority tax for us. Did you pull your boat up to their wharf or use the dinghy dock?
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: sail2wind]
#38016
02/04/2015 05:28 PM
02/04/2015 05:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL
Winterstale
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
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sail2wind said: what about commercial vessels, water taxis, day trippers? So it now costs $40 to go to St John? Another way to chase away tourists. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Yes, exactly. This is getting ridiculous...
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: Winterstale]
#38017
02/04/2015 06:12 PM
02/04/2015 06:12 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530 Ya never know...
HillsideView
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
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I'd venture a guess this is,quietly, in retaliation for the increase in # of passengers permitted on USVI boats. It's been on the books since '95,not enforced. I'm also of the opinion that the gub'mint is looking for any nickel they can find. From what I have been reading in the local media, it seems the tourist season isn't quite what they would like it to be and quite frankly, I think the government coffers are feeling it.
My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: LauraTheTshirtGal]
#38020
02/04/2015 06:24 PM
02/04/2015 06:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL
Winterstale
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
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lauraandrex said: a customer of mine on St John just told me this January was "a record low month on the island" her exact words. No one can figure out why, she is in the day sail business....sort of side topic but does anyone have any theories? Chimichanga??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: HillsideView]
#38021
02/04/2015 06:31 PM
02/04/2015 06:31 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
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Based on the published schedule that previously only applied to commercial cargo vessels and cruise ships, the rate is $1 per foot for the FIRST 24 HOURS. Then $.75 for the next and $.50 after that. So a 7 day visit for a 45' boat would come to $4.25/foot or $191.25. Plus $2/day/passenger cruising permit and maybe $20/person departure tax.
OTOH, look at the bright side. It will be a lot easier to get a painkiller at the Soggy Dollar if the day trippers get priced out of the market.
Last edited by GlennA; 02/04/2015 06:34 PM.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: Winterstale]
#38025
02/04/2015 07:54 PM
02/04/2015 07:54 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
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Sounds like this is very new, as in February new. Sounds like a PITA. Checking in to the BVI with a charter boat could coast, but our private boat check ins have been cheap. Hoping this goes away.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: sail2wind]
#38026
02/04/2015 11:13 PM
02/04/2015 11:13 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,067 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,067
GA/NC
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I don't believe the charge will apply to a BVI based vessel. I suspect this is a move to curtail US charter companies. I believe tourist travel is down because the BVI has strangled the Golden Goose. 7 dollar Caribes and 11 dollar painkillers are crazy. The fees and costs just keep going up. We are getting close to pulling the trigger on a new boat but will re think where to put the boat. Perhaps our money is better spent elsewhere. It's also worth reading some of the local blogs and publications in the BVI. There is a hostility expressed to tourists I find a bit shocking. We were the victims of a robbery and found the police had no interest at all in the crime since we were tourists. G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 02/04/2015 11:16 PM.
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#38027
02/04/2015 11:53 PM
02/04/2015 11:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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It may not even apply to private boats - might just be commercial boats?
Matt
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#38029
02/05/2015 09:11 AM
02/05/2015 09:11 AM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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There has been an escalation in hostilities between the US and B VIs over several years. The St Thomas guy who was fishing and sent to Balsum Ghut...a STYC boat that was rammed by officers, severely injuring a young lady...raising of port authority fees...raising departure fees...making up new fees. It is total and utter madness between two territories that are so closely related by geography and blood. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: Nutmeg]
#38030
02/05/2015 09:36 AM
02/05/2015 09:36 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
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Sometimes there is lemonade to be made. New beach bar on the south side of St. Thomas. Still, I hear the bay is redlined by some of the charter companies. We're going to pop by in March. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Abi-Beach-Bar/865953536781127Our trips have always included USVI and BVI. At 40' and $90 extra for three nights? It would make a difference for us. Especially since St. John and Culebra have better beaches inside that three day circle. Before we were paying $15 for a weekend visit. Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: HillsideView]
#38033
02/05/2015 09:59 AM
02/05/2015 09:59 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308 Tampa, FL
denverd0n
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308
Tampa, FL
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HillsideView said: ...it seems the tourist season isn't quite what they would like it to be and quite frankly, I think the government coffers are feeling it. Typical bureaucratic thinking. We aren't collecting enough money, so let's do something that any idiot with half a brain would know is only going to make the problem worse. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: denverd0n]
#38034
02/05/2015 10:40 AM
02/05/2015 10:40 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530 Ya never know...
HillsideView
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
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After 30+ years of visiting the BVI, I have frequently seen the "business model" of when things are bad,raise prices. Gov't throws out all kind of nickel and dime fees and many businesses jack up the prices for the customers who are coming. Rather than offer incentives to get more people to come, they just raise prices to those who do come. A few years back when I was surprised at some increases at a local establishment, the owner very seriously said "Yeah, times are bad, I need to make it on fewer people". The place was lucky to fill 10% of their tables for the next 2 or 3 years. If you follow the BVI media, and read about all the projects and initiatives the government has going(or the people are demanding)it doesn't take much to "connect the dots" and do the math. Revenues are way down,expenditures are through the roof and there is an election in the brewing. Simple, raise rates and fees on the tourists. Just look at the financing offering on the cruise ship project. 8%+ return on your investment?? The investment will be paid by rents from tenants in the shops? Don't need to look too far to see that they aren't doing too well collecting rents at Crafts Alive. Mr Ponzi would be proud. Add in airport,Biwater,more scrutiny of the offshore banking business. And for those of you who don't bother with travel medical insurance, you just might want to take a look at the new hospital fees for "out of towners". Going to be interesting the next few years.
My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: CGB]
#38036
02/05/2015 10:59 AM
02/05/2015 10:59 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,067 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,067
GA/NC
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I made a couple of calls and here is what I was told. The new tax applies to all boats that are not home ported in the BVI, private or commercial. If a boat is BVI based then they are exempt coming and going. I am not sure I understand the discussion on a war between the BVI and USVI. As far as I know the USVI has not imposed any new taxes on BVI vessels. It is very cheap to clear in and out. G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 02/05/2015 11:00 AM.
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: CGB]
#38037
02/05/2015 11:01 AM
02/05/2015 11:01 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530 Ya never know...
HillsideView
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
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Actually, Necker is probably the only place that COULD actually thrive with that business model.
My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#38038
02/05/2015 12:04 PM
02/05/2015 12:04 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 642 BVI
kerry
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 642
BVI
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From our Charter Yacht Society:
Many of you may have already heard that yachts clearing into West End (and Gun Greek) are being nailed with a $1 per foot fee by Ports Authority. This new fee has been brought to the attention of a number of government officials including the Minister of Communications and Works. It is my understanding a directive was sent to PA (Ports Authority) yesterday telling them to desist from charging the fee. As you know, sometimes it takes a while for memos to reach the front line. The matter was drawn to the Minister’s attention again, today, as one of our members was charged when clearing in at West End. My advice is to pay the fee and know that this too shall pass. And we hope it passes sooner rather than later.
This appears to be another one of those the left hand never knows what the right hand is doing between government departments
kerry
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Re: BVI Port Authority Tax
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#38039
02/05/2015 12:04 PM
02/05/2015 12:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
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The USVI did recently impose a $10 departure tax on ferry passengers heading for the BVI and the BVI is aparently very concerned about the effect of the USCG appropriations bill increasing the OUPV limit from 6 to 12 for USVI charters. I don't see that having any noticable effect on the BVI economy but aparently they do.
However, considering what visiting yachts spend on moorings, food, drinks and entertainment while in the BVI, if the new fee causes 3 or 4% of vessels to choose the SVI or remain in the USVI there will be a net loss in revenue to the BVI economy. The damage to the day tripper trade at White Bay alone would probably negate any revenue gained through the new fee.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
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