Hi everyone - This looks like a great site !!

[La Bras D'or]

Hello all. Just stumbled upon this site and it seems very friendly, interesting and informative. I've been sailing on and off most of my life and recently bought a Beneteau 361 down in the BVI's after chartering there the last few years. I'm looking forward to learning some great stuff from the members here and passing a bit along myself. Neil - Oakville Ontario Canada.

[MarkJ]

Welcome aboard!!!!! We missed the BVI's but I hear they are great!

[Southern Star]

Welcome Neil and congrats on the purchase! If you can keep the BVI registration, at least you won't be hit with the exorbitant new fees there for foreign vessels. Are you planning on keeping her down there?

Brad

[Benjamaphone]

Welcome, Neil!

We're based in Oakville as well, keep the boat at PCYC though. Are you down at Oakville harbour?

[La Bras D'or]

Thank you all for the warm welcomes. The boat is Canadian registered and I am keeping it as such. This winter will be a shake down and chance to add and fix a few items. I have arranged a couple of months off work this coming winter to spend sorting her out and exploring the region further and was planning to put her back on the hard for next summer on Tortola. Then my plan is to head "down island" for a couple of months each season, taking my time along the way to explore and hauling out as I go. From there ????? who knows.
I'm like a kid before Christmas . I've dreamed of and worked toward this for 20+ years and finally now can make the time to enjoy it. There is never a perfect time if you wait for it, so enough with the "differed gratification" - here I go !

[Southern Star]

Congrats again Neil, sounds like a plan. Have you checked out the recent thread on this site concerning the new charges for foreign registered vessels anchoring in the BVI's? It may make the trek 'down island' even more attractive (or at least, less expensive) in relative terms.

Brad

[La Bras D'or]

Southern Star, Thanks for the heads up.
I read the post and I'm checking into the report of these charges with a friend down there and will pass along any info I find out! Seems pretty darn expensive for a cruising permit I agree. If this proves to be correct for a private vessel, I'll be saying adiós this fall and head south.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha,
Welcome aboard and congratulations! BVI is great and you have a wonderful boat to enjoy it with.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[La Bras D'or]

Well it appears (almost unbelievably) correct that the BVI government is determined to tax cruisers at the rates mentioned in the post regarding the new and exorbitant BVI waters and harbor fees.
See Below the reply to my questions regarding the authentication of the document circulating around.....


Dear Mr. Walsh,

Yes, the document in question is in fact a Government document. However, that document has since been amended. The collection of harbor charges will come into effect on July 15, 2008.

For further information regarding the collection process, please contact the BVI Ports Authority at telephone 284-494-3435 or Her Majesty's Customs at 284-494-3475.



Aisha F. Hill
Information Officer I
Ministry of Communications and Works
33 Admin Drive
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
British Virgin Islands
(284) 468-3058 (tel)
(284) 468-9525 (cell)
(284) 494-3873 (fax)
aihill@gov.vg