Local News
Virgin Islands Officials Meet with Stakeholders on Virgin Gorda to Address Maritime Safety
The Premier’s Office convened a high-level meeting with stakeholders on Virgin Gorda and its surrounding islands, islets, and cays to assess the current state of maritime safety in the Virgin Islands. The session, held as part of an ongoing series of consultations, focused on strengthening marine safety protocols, addressing enforcement gaps, and fostering inter-agency cooperation to protect lives and the marine environment.
This marks the second meeting in the government’s initiative to enhance maritime safety territory-wide. A similar discussion was hosted on Tortola on May 15, aimed at launching a comprehensive strategy to improve safety standards and legislative support within the maritime sector.
Chief Marine Safety Accident Investigator, Jerome Padmore, underscored the urgency of the initiative and called for unified action. “Maritime safety is a collective responsibility; there is a need for realistic and coordinated goals to enhance emergency response, foster a culture of reporting, and improve safety standards throughout the Virgin Islands,” Padmore said. “Minor safety lapses, such as neglecting to wear lifejackets or failing to use kill cords, can have serious consequences. I urge all attendees to adopt a prevention-first mindset.”
The Virgin Islands Shipping and Maritime Authority (VISMA), the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Marine Unit, the BVI Tourist Board, Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Lifeguard Services, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR), the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change (MENRCC), the Marine Association of the British Virgin Islands, Holt Maritime Consulting, and the youth maritime programme Kids and the Sea (KATS) were among the organisations represented at the meeting.
Discussions addressed deficiencies in maritime safety infrastructure, with attention given to enforcement capacity, public education, and accident prevention. The dialogue also highlighted the importance of coordinated response mechanisms and the need for legislative improvements to support safety initiatives across the sector.
According to officials, the Government of the Virgin Islands is committed to advancing the safety, security, and sustainability of the Territory’s maritime industry. “Through strategic planning, effective leadership, and collaboration with key stakeholders, we are working toward a safer and more resilient maritime sector,” a statement from the Premier’s Office noted.
The series of consultations is expected to continue in other parts of the Territory as the government seeks to establish a unified and modernised maritime safety framework. For further information, members of the public are encouraged to contact the Premier’s Office at 284-468-2087.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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