Charter Companies Urged To Prioritise Locals
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith is calling on charter yacht companies to stop overlooking qualified Virgin Islander boat captains in favour of expatriate workers. Speaking at a marine industry forum, Hodge-Smith highlighted local frustrations over unfair charter allocations and seasonal competition from visiting crew members.
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith has strongly advocated for local boat captains, urging charter yacht companies to end hiring practices that favour expatriates over qualified Virgin Islanders. Speaking at a recent marine industry forum, Hodge-Smith addressed the ongoing obstacles preventing local mariners from securing and sustaining meaningful employment in the territory's lucrative marine sector.
She revealed that authorities have received numerous complaints from qualified captains who feel systematically sidelined by charter operators. According to Hodge-Smith, local captains have expressed deep frustration that visiting or expatriate captains are routinely allocated the majority of bookings when dozens of charters become available.
Adding insult to injury, local captains are frequently asked to orient and train these newcomers on the territory's intricate anchorages, navigation routes, and unique cays, only to lose commercial opportunities to them shortly afterward. She also raised concerns regarding the seasonal influx of foreign captains who travel to the British Virgin Islands when sailing slows in their home regions.
This dynamic places visiting mariners in direct competition with local captains during the peak BVI tourism season. Hodge-Smith questioned whether BVI captains are afforded reciprocal opportunities to work in overseas jurisdictions during the local low season, especially with companies that maintain global fleets.
While acknowledging that the complaints require thorough investigation, the Junior Minister stressed that the concerns of local mariners cannot be ignored. She stated that local captains feel increasingly ostracised within their own homeland and called on yachting companies and sector stakeholders to collaboratively address the issue.
Hodge-Smith reaffirmed that as the sailing capital of the world, the territory must ensure that Virgin Islanders directly benefit from the marine industry. She emphasised that existing labour regulations mandate preference for BVIslanders and belongers, underscoring that qualified local captains must be supported in earning sustainable livelihoods to provide for their families.
Primary source: BVI News