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Virgin Islands Moves to Strengthen Maritime Law with Legislative Overhaul

The Government of the Virgin Islands is taking major steps to modernize its maritime legislation through the Maritime Law Review Project, aiming to enhance safety, environmental protection, and enforcement capabilities.
Premier and Minister responsible for Maritime Administration and Shipping, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley, emphasised the importance of these reforms. “The Virgin Islands is committed to upholding the highest standards in maritime safety, security, and environmental protection,” he said. “These legislative reforms will not only ensure our compliance with international obligations but also reinforce our ability to effectively regulate, enforce, and support the global maritime industry. Strengthening our legal framework demonstrates our commitment to responsible flag state administration and enhances our position as a premier maritime jurisdiction.”
A key component of the reform effort, the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is scheduled for its second reading and debate when the House of Assembly resumes on March 31. The bill introduces crucial amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act, 2001, and related regulations, aligning the territory’s laws with international maritime standards, particularly the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) III Code.
The proposed changes focus on four primary areas. The amendments address deficiencies identified in the IMO’s III Code audit by ensuring the enactment of mandatory international conventions into national law. The bill will also introduce new Merchant Shipping (Safety of Life at Sea) Regulations, replacing outdated UK regulations that currently implement the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended. This update is intended to bring the Virgin Islands’ maritime legislation in line with the latest IMO safety standards.
The amendments will explicitly grant the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) jurisdiction to investigate offences under the Merchant Shipping Act. This includes investigatory powers for all criminal offences occurring on Virgin Islands-flagged ships where local courts have prosecutorial authority. Strengthening these provisions will allow for more effective investigation and prosecution of maritime crimes.
The bill aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Virgin Islands ship registry by expanding the list of eligible ship owners. Recent amendments in the UK have broadened ownership eligibility, and the Virgin Islands intends to follow suit by allowing persons and companies from Commonwealth nations to register VI-flagged ships. Additionally, the bill will reinstate countries that were previously eligible under the Recognized Jurisdictions list, which was repealed in 2022.
The bill proposes removing the requirement for the Virgin Islands to consult the UK Secretary of State before enacting local maritime regulations, streamlining the legislative process and improving administrative efficiency.
Beyond the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, the Government plans further legislative initiatives, including publishing adopted legislation and enacting new and updated regulations to clarify and modernize the Virgin Islands’ implementation of key international maritime conventions. These include the International Convention on Load Lines (LL), 1966, and the 1988 Protocol, the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969, and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), including the 1995 and 2010 Manila Amendments. Other key updates will address the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), covering amendments from 1978 and 1997, and the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG), 1972.
These reforms are expected to strengthen the Virgin Islands’ maritime sector, ensuring the territory remains a responsible and competitive flag state in the global industry.
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Community Centers Reopen Across Virgin Islands, Offering Venues for Public Use

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has announced the reopening of several community centers across the Virgin Islands, offering residents renewed access to public spaces for social, cultural, and educational events.
The Long Trench Community Centre, Emile Dunlop Community Centre on Anegada, and the Christiana Gertrude Warner Community Centre in Purcell Estate are now fully operational and available for a variety of approved activities. These include meetings, workshops, religious services, weddings, receptions, camps, and other community gatherings in accordance with government guidelines.
“Community centres are vital spaces for bringing people together, fostering social connection, and supporting local development,” said Tasha Bertie, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development. “We are pleased to see so many of these hubs becoming active again, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we finalise arrangements for others.”
Although repairs have been completed at the East End/Long Look and Cane Garden Bay community centres, the Ministry is still working through additional administrative and operational procedures to ensure a safe and sustainable reopening. Updates on their availability are expected in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, some centers are offering limited access. The West End Community Centre is currently shared with the Carrot Bay Senior Programme and can accommodate small-scale events of up to 75 people. Similarly, the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay continues to house the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre during school hours and is available for limited use outside of those times, with a capacity of up to 50 persons, subject to approval.
All facility bookings must be processed through the Social Development Department and adhere to the official Community Centre guidelines. Key policies include:
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No decorations may be affixed to walls with tape, staples, or adhesives.
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Facilities are non-smoking and may host multiple groups at once.
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Bookings are not confirmed until a rental contract is signed and a deposit is received.
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Exclusive use is only guaranteed when the entire facility is rented.
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Events must remain within designated rental spaces, and noise should be kept to a moderate level.
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All trash must be properly removed from the premises.
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Controlled substances, gum, and candy are not permitted.
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Vendors must remain outside the centre’s gates.
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Facilities must be returned in their original condition, and keys returned by 9:00 a.m. the next business day. Lost or misused keys will incur a $100 replacement fee.
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in additional charges or a loss of rental privileges.
To reserve a facility, residents are encouraged to contact the Social Development Department at (284) 468-3636. Rental rates vary depending on the location and type of event.
The Ministry emphasized its ongoing commitment to fostering community engagement and enhancing the social and health infrastructure across the Territory.
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Major Drug and Weapon Seizures Mark Strong Start to 2025 for BVI Police

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) carried out a series of high-impact operations in the first quarter of 2025, resulting in significant seizures of illegal drugs, firearms, and ammunition. The enforcement actions, part of a broader crackdown on criminal activity, reflect stepped-up efforts to disrupt narcotics distribution and remove unlicensed weapons from the streets.
The operations are part of intensified efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and remove unlicensed weapons from circulation.
Between January and March, RVIPF officers confiscated more than 12 kilograms of cannabis, 2,900 mature cannabis plants, and 2,447 seedlings. The seizures are part of an ongoing initiative to dismantle local drug distribution networks and reduce the availability of illicit substances across the islands.
In parallel with drug enforcement operations, police also recovered seven pistols and two rifles—exceeding the number of firearms seized during the same period in 2024. Ammunition confiscations more than doubled, rising from 152 rounds in early 2024 to 389 rounds in the first three months of this year.
Authorities noted a high charge rate in possession cases, underscoring what the RVIPF described as a continued zero-tolerance policy toward illegal weaponry. The enforcement activity is supported by intelligence-led policing and strengthened community cooperation.
“These results reflect the success of targeted enforcement strategies and community partnerships,” the RVIPF said in a statement accompanying the release of the data.
The figures were published alongside broader crime statistics indicating that serious criminal offenses, including assaults, sexual offenses, and burglaries, have reached their lowest first-quarter levels in five years. Police attributed the overall decline to coordinated operations and increased public engagement.
The RVIPF has committed to maintaining its current pace of enforcement through the remainder of the year.
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Pope Francis Dies at 88: World Mourns Transformative Leader of the Catholic Church

Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas, died on Sunday at the age of 88, bringing an end to a historic papacy defined by humility, social advocacy, and efforts to modernise the Church. The Vatican confirmed his death late Sunday evening in a brief statement, noting he passed away peacefully at the Apostolic Palace, surrounded by senior clergy and aides.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected to the papacy in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His elevation as the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Global South signalled a shift in the Church’s global focus. His leadership inspired millions, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where his messages of compassion, environmental stewardship, and economic justice found deep resonance.
Over his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis worked tirelessly to address some of the most complex issues facing the modern Church—sexual abuse scandals, declining attendance, and widening political divides. He was both praised and criticised for his efforts to reach across ideological lines, calling for greater inclusion within the Church, particularly towards the LGBTQ community, divorced Catholics, and interfaith dialogue.
In the Caribbean, a region with a deep Catholic heritage, Pope Francis was seen as a moral voice and a beacon of reform. His 2015 visit to Cuba helped pave the way for a historic thaw in US–Cuba relations, while his outspoken stance on climate change galvanised support for environmental movements across island nations vulnerable to rising sea levels and intensifying hurricanes.
“Pope Francis was a man of the people. His commitment to the poor, the marginalised, and our common home touched the lives of many here in the Caribbean,” said Bishop Harold Richards of the Antilles Episcopal Conference. “He brought a human face to the Church.”
Though increasingly frail in recent years, Francis continued to carry out his duties with determination. He remained active in Vatican affairs until only weeks before his passing, delivering his final public message on Easter Sunday, in which he called for peace in the Middle East and solidarity with migrants worldwide.
A conclave of cardinals will be convened in the coming weeks to elect a new pope. In the meantime, the College of Cardinals will oversee the governance of the Church.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of bold compassion, spiritual leadership, and a vision of a more open, engaged, and globally conscious Catholic Church. Across the Caribbean and the world, churches will toll their bells in mourning—and in gratitude for a life of service.
Funeral services are expected to be held later this week in St Peter’s Basilica. A national day of mourning has been declared in Argentina.
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