vipcaChartering in the BVI

Chartering in the British Virgin Islands

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FOREIGN COMMERCIAL RECREATIONAL VESSSELS

THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE PRESENTLY APPLICABLE FOR A:

Temporary Licences

This Licence is issued pursuant to section 3 of the Virgin Islands Commercial Vessels Licensing Act, 1992

Subject to the following conditions:

a) This Licence must be presented to H.M. Customs for validation by customs stamp when entering the Virgin Islands;
b) This vessel is allowed a maximum of 1 entry on this licence;
c) The period of entry shall not exceed day(s).

Day Trips

This Licence is issued pursuant to section 3 of the Virgin Islands Commercial Vessels Licensing Act, 1992

Subject to the following conditions:

a) This vessel is approved only for day trips into the Virgin Islands;
b) No pick up or drop off of charters allowed while in Virgin Islands "Internal waters"
c) Length of voyage into Virgin islands water shall not exceed 8 continuous hour.

Water Taxis

This Licence is issued pursuant to section 3 of the Virgin Islands Commercial Vessels Licensing Act, 1992

Subject to the following conditions:

a) This vessel is approved only for water taxi operations to and from Virgin Islands ports of entry;
b) No Voyages into Virgin Islands; c) Pick up and drop off of passengers at the Virgin Gorder, Sopher's Hole, Road Harbor and Jost Van Dyke Ports of Entry.

Commercial Recreational Bareboat Vessels less than 60 Feet

This Licence is issued pursuant to section 3 of the Virgin Islands Commercial Vessels Licensing Act, 1992

Subject to the following conditions:

a) This Licence must be presented to H.M. Customs for validation by customs stamp when entering the Virgin Islands;
b) This vessel is allowed a maximum of 7 entries on this licence; c) Each period of entry shall not exceed 4 days.

Commercial Recreational Term Charter Crewed Vessels less than 78 feet.

This Licence is issued pursuant to section 3 of the Virgin Islands Commercial Vessels Licensing Act, 1992

Subject to the following conditions:

a) This Licence must be presented to H.M. Customs for validation by customs stamp when entering the Virgin Islands;
b) Entry Period >48 hrs. This vessel is allowed a maximum of 7 entries on this license c) Each period of entry shall not exceed 8 Days

Commercial Recreational Term Charter Crewed Vessels 78 Feet and Greater

This Licence is issued pursuant to section 3 of the Virgin Islands Commercial Vessels Licensing Act, 1992

Subject to the following conditions:

a) This Licence must be presented to H.M. Customs for validation by customs stamp when entering the Virgin Islands;
b) This vessel is allowed a maximum of 14 entries on this license c) Each period of entry shall be more than 48 hrs and shall not exceed 16 Days.

BVI Application Form

At that site click on “Port and Cruising Permit Act Forms” and select the appropriate form (water taxi, day trips or term charters). The completed application and the following required completed documents can be submitted via email to crvl@gov.vg:

Business License
Vessel Registration
Insurance Certificate
Exemption Certificate from Shipping Registry (if applicable)
Vessel Safety Certificate (e.g., USCG COI or CVLA Certificate)
Charter Operational Plan
Certified Letter from owner of vessel or charter operator only stating how the charter operation is financed
Certified Letter from owner authorizing charter.

Fees for the CRVL are:

$405 – vessels not exceeding 40 ft.

$605 – vessels exceeding 40 ft but not exceeding 50 ft.

$805 – vessels exceeding 50 ft.

Once you have submitted a completed and signed application, along with the supporting documents, you will be notified of its status and directed to where you are to remit your payment. Payment can be made online, the receipt that will be issued after you have made payment, you are to retain. You will be notified when the License has been printed for your collection, with your proof of payment, i.e., your receipt.

If you have specific questions, they can also be emailed to crvl@gov.vg. There are BVI agents who can assist you with this process for a fee which in some cases can be substantial.

“Certified Letter” as used above means the document must be notarized.

According to the BVI Guidelines document the Charter Operational Plan should include:

Intended charter operation (day trips, term charters, advertised itinerary)
Indicate if it is for the season or a period
Crew list and copies of their valid certificates (captains license, STCW certificates for all crew, passport bio page for all crew)

The CRVL fees do not include and are separate from the BVI National Park Trust fees, the Cruising Permit fees and any of the other Customs entry fees.

Please note that USCG confirms and will be actively enforcing that the captain is required to have a Master MMC with STCW A-II/3 endorsement and all crew must have STCW Basic Training and all other required STCW Certifications for international voyages which includes trips to the BVI. If you are US licensed and based, you are still considered on an international voyage even with pick up and drop off in the BVI.

The BVI limitation on foreign based charter companies to do BVI pick up and drop off charters is still in effect and limited to not exceed 7 such charters in a 12 month period.

At this link you will find HM Customs’ most recent version of their published regulations, which have been updated since without being published formally as yet.

Foreign_charter_companies_guide_brochure_revised

At this link you will find the VIPCA Government committee list of licenses, registrations, certifications and documents required required for US Crew Options for BVI Chartering

Free CVLA Consultation - For Vessels Going Commercial

Fishing License Application:

FISHING APPLICATIONS INCLUDE: