Services

Here is a brief list of the primary services we offer. Feel free to contact us if there is something you don’t see on this list – no request is too big, too small, or too strange!

DOCUMENTATION

Commercial Recreational Vessel License

We can make fill and submit an application for clearance to charter in BVI waters. Once supporting documents and the completed application is submitted, processing takes 5 business days. Contact us to start your application!

Vessel Registration

Registration of a ship gives the vessel a nationality and provides that vessel with a “flag state” or “flag” responsible for certifying the vessel and crew with the internationally recognized documents required to trade under international law. Contact us to start your vessel registration.

Why BVI?

Vessel and mortgage registration within 24 hours, provided all documentation is received.
Vessels can be owned by citizens or companies of over 70 eligible jurisdictions including BVI, UK, USA, Canada, British Territories, the EU, Caricom and OECS or companies registered in those jurisdictions.
A renowned, tax-neutral, international financial sector and a leading corporate company register.
Modern, comprehensive maritime legislation based on English Common Law allows flexibility for owners without compromising safety and offers excellent mortgage protection provisions to secure the rights of mortgagees and financiers.
International Maritime Organization (IMO) participation through the United Kingdom Government
Full British Consular services and Royal Naval assistance and protection for Virgin Islands-flagged vessels are available worldwide

CLEARANCE

Customs & Immigration

We can clear you at any port of entry of your choice or outside of a port with 24 hours’ notice.

The official ports of entry into the BVI are:

Road Town, Tortola
Soper’s Hole, Tortola
Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda
Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke
The Settlement, Anegada

On arrival, we require:

Ship’s Registration Documents
Passports
Crew List
Passenger List
Individual Addresses (For Crew & Passengers)
Number of jet skis on board (Must be declared and use is prohibited)
Last Port of Call
Next Port of Call
Dates of Arrival & Departure

All documents must be signed by the captain and stamped by the ship. We will collect the documents from you at any port of entry and liaise with you to get them back to you before your departure.

National Parks

Permits for National Parks must be obtained during clearance. For information on the National Parks Trust Mooring Permits.

NO FISHING ALLOWED IN NATIONAL PARKS.

BVI Waivers & Visas

Nationals of certain countries require visas to enter the British Virgin Islands. If a person has a UK, USA, or Canadian visa, valid for at least six months, they may enter the country without a BVI visa for a maximum of six months. All others must apply for a visa waiver (only granted once) or a full BVI Visa (valid for 6-12 months).

We can obtain both the visa waiver and the BVI visas on behalf of clients.

The visa waivers can be obtained in advance.

The full BVI visa we obtain upon arrival of the ship. For a visa application, the passport must have:

Completed Forms (filled by us)
Valid passport
One clear page in the passport – front and back
2 identical passport-size photos (white background, no smiling)

It is a requirement in this instance that the ship comes to Road Harbour in case the authorities wish to interview the applicants. Once we have the vessel’s clearance documents and visa forms, it may move to its preferred anchorage. We will not be able to fully clear the vessel until the visas have been issued, which may take 1-2 days. However, we keep Customs and Immigration advised of the yacht’s status. Once all formalities have been completed, we will liaise with the ship for a suitable time for the documents to be returned.

Pets

All pets onboard must be declared to Customs and a veterinarian must be present when you clear in to check out the animal’s health certificates. To be sure that your pet has the correct paperwork, we strongly suggest you make us aware of your pets well before your arrival so we may contact the necessary personnel.

Jet Skis

Jet skis are banned for use in BVI waters and cannot be launched from the ship at any time. They must also be declared on the Customs Control Document.

Firearms

Along with jet skis, firearms are banned in the BVI and must be declared on the Customs Control Document upon arrival. If you have firearms on board, we can arrange for Customs to check the security of these firearms. As long as they are satisfied that the captain holds the key to any secure firearm locker at all times, in most cases they will allow the firearms to remain onboard. If not, they must be taken to the local Police Headquarters and held in their armory until your departure.

BUNKERING

We can arrange for low sulfur duty-free fuel bunkering prior to your departure from the BVI.

CUSTOMS BROKERAGE

We can clear inbound cargo through Customs for our clients. If foodstuffs are being imported, we ensure that someone from the Agricultural Department is on hand to check the goods prior to them being cleared through Customs. We then organize their transportation to the ship. Please be aware that different duty rates apply to different goods.

Yachts are only considered in transit if leaving the Territory within 48 hours.

FOOD PROVISIONING

Local specialty seafood (lobster, conch, whelks, Mahi, Tuna, locally caught fish) are available when in season!

There are also specialty cuts of meats that can be sourced locally. We can get these delivered directly to the ship. For interim provisioning whilst in the BVI, please email us with your requirements and we will source the best possible produce in the islands. If you are flying produce in from overseas, we can clear it through Customs and deliver it to the ship without delay.

NATIONAL PARKS

For information on the NPT Mooring Permits, go to the Moorings Section at http://www.bvimarineguide.com/programs.html.

Mooring permits (for yachts and tenders under 60 ft) can be obtained when checking in through Customs.

FISHING LICENSES

Any ship anticipating that crew and/or guests will wish to put a line in the water should first register their vessel with the Department of Conservation and Fisheries.

We will need:

Application form (completed by us)
Copy of the ship’s registration document
Photograph of the fishing gear to be used
Photograph of ship’s transom with ship’s name
Photo ID (Driver’s License/Passport) of the person(s) who will have lines

30-day temporary fishing licenses will not be issued unless a yacht is registered.

Temporary licenses can only be obtained from Monday-Friday, not at weekends or on public holidays.

BANKING SERVICES

APAs and operating funds may be sent to our bank account and we can arrange for the immediate withdrawal of funds in cash. One proviso is that our bank requires proof of where the funds are coming from and their use, for example, the first page of the relevant MYBA or other charter contracts will suffice. We can email you our bank’s wiring instructions upon request.