BVI Shoots Self In Foot

Just when you thought it was going to be easier to get back to bareboating in the BVIs, the government has stepped in.  In a bureaucratic move that one wag suggested wasn't just shooting itself in the foot, "It's machine-gunning it's foot!".

Less than 12 hours before the BVI seaports were due to open, Premier Andrew Fahie called a delay until late January (1/21/21).  The reason is the ferry terminals weren't ready.  Whatever.

Now any bareboaters planning to fly to St. Thomas (STT) and catch the public ferry to the BVIs will now have to arrive by air at the Beef Island Airport (EIS).  

The BVI government also slapped hefty fines on a bareboat skipper who was sailing out of St. Thomas.  He allegedly had no intention of going to the BVIs, but inadvertantly cross the border line.  He was taken by BVI police, the crew was put in quarantine at a local hotel, and the skipper slapped with a sizable fine.  Seems a bit unfriendly although, to be fair and considering the GPS and chartplotters now on bareboats, making an "oops, we crossed into another country" seems questionable.  

Just be forewarned that the BVIs are prickly right now, however you hope to arrive.