• Island Information
• Map of the BVI
• Clearance Procedures
• BVI Visas
• Moorings
• Protection Programs
• Communications
• Marinas/
  Yacht Registration/
  Provisioning
• Weather
• Directory

• BVI NATIONAL PARKS TRUST
• MOORINGS
• MARINE PARK
• CHARTER YACHT SOCIETY
• FISHING REGULATIONS
• DIVING
• WATER
• GARBAGE
• BVI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BVI National Parks Trust

Reef Protection Programme

Commercial Fees - Charter Boats BVI Based Charter Boats:
$25.00 per boat/week (4 persons)
$35.00 per boat/week (6 persons)
$45.00 per boat/week (8 persons)
$55.00 per boat/week (10 persons)
Each addíl person pays $5.00/week

Moorings

Moorings are for day use only, with a 90 minute time limit. Overnight use not permitted. Fees are under review and subject to change.

Key to Mooring Buoy Colours:
Yellow Commercial vessels/diving
Red Snorkelling
Blue Dinghy dock lines

Many of the sites where NPT mooring buoys are found, are areas exposed to rough ground seas, exposed rocks and reefs, so caution must always be used and overnight use is not permitted.

Please use a dock line through the pick up line thimble, and be sure not to drive over the mooring when leaving. Boats damaging moorings will be charged with replacement costs.

Please note that use of these moorings is at the userís risk and all users must have a valid permit. Permits can be obtained from the National Parks Trust, 57 Main Street, Road Town, Tortola (Tel: 494-3904 / 2069), charter companies, dive operators, clearing houses and Customs at all marine ports of entry. All fees received from purchased permits are used towards installation, repair and maintenance of the moorings. Please help the BVI National Parks Trust to preserve paradise.

There is a flag system indicating when to use a BVI NPT mooring at The Baths National Park ñ

Visit the National Parks Trust web site at http://www.bvinationalparkstrust.org

Marine Park Regulations

The Wreck of the RMS Rhone Marine Park extends west from Salt Island to include the island of Dead Chest. The RMS Rhone anchor lies at the entrance to Great Harbour, Peter Island and is also part of the Marine Park. Anchoring is strictly prohibited within the Marine Park, vessels must use the mooring buoys provided and obtain a NPT mooring permit. Vessels over 80ft must anchor in Salt Island Bay and use the dinghy dock lines provided within the Marine Park. Fishing and the removal of artifacts/ marine life is strictly prohibited. All vessels must not exceed the posted speed limit of 5mph in this no-wake zone. Please contact the National Parks Trust (Tel: 494-3904 / 2069) for further information.

The Charter Yacht Society

The voice of the Crewed Yacht Industry in the British Virgin Islands. The Charter Yacht Society of the BVI was formed in 1982. This non-profit organization was established by a group of crewed charter yacht owners who saw the benefits of being represented by one voice. Its aims then and now are quite simply:

• To ensure good relationships between the resident Independent crewed charter boats and the Government and people of the British Virgin Islands.
• To propagate the observation of the laws of the Territory and respect for its social standards and culture.
• To foster a business climate beneficial to its members consistent with the smooth development of the yacht industry and to promote the interests of locally owned vessels.

Currently, the Society works closely with The B.V.I. Tourist Board and represents the interests of crewed yachts through its membership of the BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel Association, and the Marine Association.

Membership benefits include:

• Preferential rates for the annual CYS Boatshow.
• Merchant discounts.
• Full presence on CYS website.
• Group medical insurance
• Regular industry updates.
• Broker database access.

Seriously committed crewed charter yachts, this is your voice. Your membership adds strength to the continued improvement of your chosen vocation.

Check us out at www.bvicrewedyachts.com

Fishing Regulations

It is a legal requirement that anyone putting a line in the water must have a fishing licence. Temporary one month licences can be obtained at a cost of $45 per licence from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour, East Wing, Government Administration Building, Road Town, Tortola. Tel: (284) 494-3701. Alternatively, you can use the services of Shore Side Yacht Services Ltd. who can obtain the licence on your behalf for a fee. For more information on SSYSís services, call 284-494-5135.

Please note that Horseshoe Reef, Anegada is a protected area under the Fisheries Law and that fishing and anchoring in this area is prohibited. Fishing is also prohibited within the Wreck of the RMS Rhone Marine Park and from any National Park mooring buoy.

Diving

Take only pictures...leave only bubbles! We have some spectacular dive sites, two of which are Marine Parks. In these parks, the following regulations apply:

• Use only mooring buoys around the Rhone. No anchoring is allowed in this area. If the buoys are full, anchor off Salt Island Bay and take your tender around to the dinghy mooring system provided.
• No fishing of any kind or removal of conch or lobster.

Water: Enjoy it ñ Protect it

The sea contributes to our lives in many ways. Transportation, trade, fishing and recreation are all linked to the sea and to the movement of vessels upon it. Those of us engaged in recreational boating have a very close and personal link with the sea and with the quality of its waters. Please do your part by helping to control three sources of pollution: Sewage, Garbage and Oil.

Sewage ñ No untreated sewage should be discharged in any harbour nor anywhere within 1,000 yards from the shoreline in the B.V.I. Acceptable means of compliance include the following:

1. The use of a marine sanitation device designed to prevent the overboard discharge of sewage. Such ìholding tanksî may be emptied outside the restricted areas or pumped into a sewage treatment facility ashore. These devices are called type III MSDs by the USCG.
2. The use of marine sanitation devices that produce an effluent having a fecal coliform bacterial count not greater than 1,000 per 100 millilitres and no visible floating solids. These devices are called type I MSDs by the USCG.

Garbage ñ No garbage of any nature may be discharged into the waters of the British Virgin Islands. Garbage must be deposited ashore in receptacles provided for this purpose. A chart showing the location of garbage receptacles is aboard every charter yacht. Private yachts may obtain copies from any charter company.

Oil - No oil or oily waste shall be discharged into the waters of the British Virgin Islands. No person may intentionally drain oil or oily waste from any source into the bilge of any vessel.

Compliance with these simple provisions will virtually eliminate pollution of our waters from marine sources.
Adopted by the Marine Association of the British Virgin Islands

Garbage

Please keep all garbage in bags until you reach a designated disposal location. Never throw garbage into the water. If you are on a beach, carry the trash back to your boat until you can dispose of it properly. Plastics are especially dangerous to our sea turtles, so be sure that plastic bags, six-pack rings and water balloons are not thrown overboard.

Drop off locations for garbage:

Chamber of Commerce

BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel Association and the Government of the BVI work hand-in-hand to find solutions to problems, issues and potential situations that may adversely effect a good quality of economic and social life in the Territory. BVICCHA enjoys a healthy and productive relationship with various government & non-government agencies. For more information, call 284 494 3514.
E-mail: bviccha@surf.com