BVI & Covid problems

[Apollo366]

"Four Americans claim they are being held like “hostages” in a British Virgin Islands hotel room after they accidentally sailed into the territory’s waters — breaking rules that prohibit U.S. visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report." Fox News 12/1/2020

https://www.foxnews.com/world/americ...-island-waters

Sounds like they were on a chartered boat & didn't know they were in BVI waters. Not sure if all chart plotters clearly show national boundaries.

I for one am not going near foreign boundaries until this is all over, 2022??

Capt Wayne & his "Err on the Side of Caution" philosophy

[sailingabe41ds]

They should just tell them they are refugees and they will welcome them with open arms....or they could remind them of 1776, 1812, WWI, WWII.
Seriously, that sucks ....I thought corrupt third world countries were they only ones doing this kind of stuff.

Cant we all get along...

Abe

[Apollo366]

I'm afraid this is the normal MO of petty third rate Dictators and Island Kings when their perceived laws & hasity implemented rules are broken.
Also the demand of $20,000 CASH just reeks of a local shake down!! Also the seedy hotel thing.

I'm afraid this will be the norm for us blue water cruisers for the next year or so. I'm personally not figuring on visiting foreign Island Nations next year, maybe '22, I sure hope so.
My plans of many years of continuing sailing the Pacific Islands may never happen as I'm 77 now & my family history of males is decidedly short lived.

Best to ya,

Capt Wayne

[Tillsbury]

Anyone got a source other than fox that might have some actual facts in it?

[Jason Flare]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

Anyone got a source other than fox that might have some actual facts in it?

There’s another thread here about this.

I don’t think it has more facts than the Fox News article.

[Steel sails]

BVI press release says all 4 released they entered a guilty plea and paid 1000$ fine each.
Regards
Paul

[NaClyDog]

Originally Posted by sailingabe41ds

They should just tell them they are refugees and they will welcome them with open arms....or they could remind them of 1776, 1812, WWI, WWII.
Seriously, that sucks ....I thought corrupt third world countries were they only ones doing this kind of stuff.

Cant we all get along...

Abe

You mean like this one?


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...eeks-1.4717060

[Jason Flare]

Originally Posted by NaClyDog

You mean like this one?


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...eeks-1.4717060

She had no ID and it took two weeks for the US and Canada to decide to allow her back in Canada.

[ccwoodhead]

This is from the Salty Dawgs:

Hello,



Please be aware that the BVIs are not permitting vessels to enter their waters until at least December 8. This includes sailing through the waters with no intent to stop. Here is the information from Noonsite:



·No Entry into the BVIs and it’s surrounding waters is permitted by vessels until at least 08 December, 2020.
·If you sail through BVI waters you will be fined.
·https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/boaters-advised-not-sail-exclusion-zone


Below is an account from a boat that was recently apprehended and issued a $20,000 fine.



Regards, Hank J. George, President

Salty Dawg Sailing Association



BE CAREFUL OUT THERE

After delivering an Outbound 46 from Newport, RI to St Thomas last week, the owner Kevin Gregory, crew Andrew Dunbar, and myself went for a day sail to ease into society after nine days at sea. On Wednesday (Nov. 18), we were heading to Francis Bay, St John, USVI when we unwittingly sailed two miles beyond the US border, into BVI waters.

Within minutes a black hulled POLICE RIB pulls along and tells us to “stop the boat.” After brief questioning, the officer phoned his superiors, completes the call, requests our passports and ships documents, and escorts us to West End, BVI for processing.

While powering in, Kevin, a St Thomas resident was busily phoning attorneys and references to defend our case. Upon arrival at the customs dock, charges were filed for failure to report in upon entry to BVI water and failure to submit paperwork within 12 hours.

The essence here is that we weren’t intending to clear into BVI because our ultimate destination was a US harbor. However, after 27 hours and a $20,000 fine, we were released. Kevin was not allowed to take an exception before signing the admission of guilt.

Before we left, the BVI police brought in a US flagged 45’ yawl with two elderly couples, presumably for similar treatment, eventually escorting them to Road Harbour for processing. This is a money grab, be careful out there.

- Jim Whistler

____________

Rallies--------Rendezvous--------Education--------Membership--------Crew--------Events

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association is a non-profit educational and charitable sailing organization

made possible through Volunteers, Members, Sponsors and Contributors.

For more information about becoming involved, please contactinfo@saltydawgsailing.org.

www.saltydawgsailing.org

[Cpt Mark]

BVI's has been very strict on Covid policies since the beginning. They understood what the ramifications of not doing so might be unlike my home country (USA).

Rather than saying I'm not going to go anywhere until some arbitrary date in the future this case shows that in order to safely and enjoyably go to foreign ports I need to do my homework thoroughly and double check it right before departure so that I can follow whatever rules that need to be followed.

Check the weather, check the rules. Go out and enjoy. Taking off in the spring in whichever direction will allow for it.

[mjgriffin007]

It might be the same story, but have heard a couple of these re: the BVI govt.

The company I've used for years is offering a deal for charters starting 12/2/2020: Rent for a week, and we'll give you the BVI-required 4-days-on-the-boat-quarantine for free (11 days total).

I think the charter companies are far more desperate for business than the BVI government. I hate to say it, but I'm gonna wait a while. I really miss going down there....

[grantmc]

I find it interesting how many Americans on this forum so often complain about countries enforcing their borders. But these same people never seem for a moment to consider the consequences to someone infringing their own countries borders.

[endlesspursuit]

Originally Posted by grantmc

I find it interesting how many Americans on this forum so often complain about countries enforcing their borders. But these same people never seem for a moment to consider the consequences to someone infringing their own countries borders.

Not complaining about boarders. Complaining about unfair treatment to others by others. You think 20K is fair? USA lets more people into this country than any other I know of. Even during the start of covid we took in cruise ships so people could go home to their own countries. How about NZ? You can also thank us you don't speak German.

[jmschmidt]

The BVI has cooked itself as a charter boat and yachting Disneyland. Sad. No wonder the Soggy Dollar Bar webcam is shutdown.

[NaClyDog]

Originally Posted by endlesspursuit

Not complaining about boarders. Complaining about unfair treatment to others by others. You think 20K is fair? USA lets more people into this country than any other I know of. Even during the start of covid we took in cruise ships so people could go home to their own countries. How about NZ? You can also thank us you don't speak German.

I think you are missing the point mate, this isn't about the USA. Hard to believe but it's the plain truth.


The BVI have spoken and people need to respect their wishes. Full stop.