Government reminds operators to report all marine
The Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA) is reminding vessel operators, owners and maritime stakeholders across the Virgin Islands that reporting all marine accidents and incidents is a legal requirement under the Virgin Islands Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations, 2020. MSIRA has also launched a public awareness campaign to improve compliance and has provided contact details for guidance and media enquiries. Chief Marine Accident Investigator Jerome Padmore and the Government of the Virgin Islands stress that reports — including near-misses and minor occurrences — must be made as soon as practicable and by the quickest means available.
The Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA) is urging all vessel operators, owners and maritime stakeholders in the Virgin Islands to report every marine accident and incident as required by the Virgin Islands Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations, 2020, according to a Government of the Virgin Islands release.
Chief Marine Accident Investigator Jerome Padmore said reports must be made "as soon as practicable and by the quickest means available." He stressed that reporting is not limited to major incidents: "Near-misses and minor occurrences can provide critical information that helps prevent more serious accidents," Mr.
Under the Regulations the duty to report rests primarily with the Master of the vessel, or in their absence the senior surviving officer, and also applies to the owner, manager or operator. Relevant authorities may also be required to report where applicable, MSIRA noted. Failure to report, delays in reporting, or providing inaccurate information are breaches of the Regulations and can significantly delay investigations and hinder safety improvements.
MSIRA emphasised that the reporting requirement is not intended to assign blame. "Marine accident reporting is not about assigning fault. It is about learning, improving, and strengthening the systems that keep our waters safe," Mr. The authority also reminded the public that failing to report an accident without reasonable cause is an offence; persons required to report who do not, or who withhold required information, may be liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to $10,000.
The authority highlighted the practical importance of timely and accurate reporting for BVI residents and businesses. The territory depends on a robust maritime sector — from local fishing and inter-island transport to a large charter and visitor industry — and thorough investigations help protect livelihoods, preserve coral reefs and beaches, and maintain the confidence of tourists and visiting yachts.
To boost compliance, MSIRA has launched a public awareness campaign targeting vessel operators, charter companies, visiting charters and bareboat operators. The initiative, announced by the Premier's Office, aims to build "a culture of transparency, compliance, and responsibility," Mr.
Padmore said, adding that "when stakeholders act promptly, we all benefit from safer waters." MSIRA operates under the Premier’s Office and conducts independent, fact-based investigations guided by the Merchant Shipping Regulations and the International Maritime Organisation Casualty Investigation Code.
Its primary purpose is to identify safety issues and issue recommendations to prevent future occurrences, not to apportion liability. For more information or guidance on reporting, MSIRA directs stakeholders to the Government of the Virgin Islands website at gov.vg. The Government release also provided contacts for media and public enquiries: Angela U Burns, Information Officer I, Premier's Office, tel: +1 284 468 9445, email: aburns@gov.vg; and for international media: BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com.
General government services can be reached at (284) 468-3701 or WhatsApp (284) 468-9760. MSIRA's reminder underlines that every report helps build a clearer picture of risks across BVI waters and improves how authorities respond to and prevent future maritime incidents.
Primary source: BVI Government