Marine Forum Charts Future For Local Operators
Government officials and industry leaders met at a major Marine Industry Forum to address challenges facing local operators and expand opportunities for Virgin Islanders. Key topics included regulatory compliance, maritime safety, and workforce training across the blue economy. Officials also reaffirmed the territorial policy reserving day-charter and water-taxi licences exclusively for locals.
Over 70 marine operators, business owners, public officers, and training providers gathered at The Moorings Yacht Club for a Marine Industry Forum aimed at expanding local participation and strengthening standards across the Territory's marine sector. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development and The Moorings.
The forum provided an open platform for stakeholders to address operational hurdles, licensing fees, access to capital, and competition from unlicensed vessels. During the discussions, Minister with responsibility for Financial Services and Economic Development Lorna Smith, OBE, confirmed the Government's policy decision to reserve day-charter and water-taxi licences specifically for British Virgin Islanders.
Acknowledging previous concerns raised by local entrepreneurs about barriers in the yachting trade, Minister Smith assured participants that the Ministry is categorising recommendations for immediate inter-agency action. Maritime safety formed a central part of the programme. Chief Marine Accident Investigator Jerome Padmore warned that more than 20 marine accidents have been recorded recently, largely consisting of collisions, groundings, and vessel fires.
Padmore underscored the urgent need for enhanced operator competency, routine vessel compliance, stricter accident reporting, and improved marina fire safety measures. The forum also examined strategies to prepare the next generation of Virgin Islanders for technical and leadership careers in the sector.
Deputy Commissioner of Labour Felina Moss outlined the draft Blue Economy Workforce Development Strategy, which aims to introduce marine career pathways starting at the primary school level and establish a blue-economy passport to log professional credentials. Lavity Stoutt Community College Dean Marva Dawson-Wheatley highlighted the institution's offerings in marine mechanics, STCW safety training, and captain-preparation programmes.
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith highlighted the essential link between tourism and maritime commerce, calling for continued public-private collaboration. Ministry officials confirmed that focused working groups on licensing, enforcement, business support, and workforce development will convene in the coming weeks, with a progress report to follow when the sector meets again in the autumn.
Primary source: BVI Government