The boating community is hereby informed that, effective 1st June 2025, amendments to Schedule 2 of the Cruising and Home Port Permit Act, 2021 (No. 9 of 2021) have officially taken effect. These changes are outlined in the Cruising and Home Port Permit (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order, 2024 (Statutory Instrument 2024 No. 83) and were announced by HM Customs Department.

Additionally, in accordance with the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing (Amendment) Act 2025 (No. 13 of 2025), new regulations now govern intra-trading activities within the Virgin Islands. Intra-trading is defined as trading between two harbours, ports, or anchorages. Under the new provisions, only BVI-licensed vessels that have received ministerial approval and paid the applicable fees may engage in intra-trading.

Non-BVI vessels may be granted a waiver by the Minister under specific conditions: the waiver may not exceed 14 days, may be issued no more than twice per calendar year for the same vessel, and cannot be granted within six months of a previous waiver’s expiration. Furthermore, vessels operating under such a waiver must obtain a Port State Control inspection certification from the Virgin Islands Shipping and Maritime Authority and pay a certification fee of $1,500 before commencing operations.

It is important to note that these restrictions do not apply to small cruise ships as defined in the Cruising and Home Port Permit Act, 2021 (No. 29 of 2021) or to licensed commercial recreational vessels, with the exception of foreign-based water taxis.

For further details or clarification, stakeholders are encouraged to contact the relevant authorities or visit the official government website.