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.
