Local News
No Injuries Reported After Catamaran Accident Near Anegada Channel
The Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA) has confirmed that a sailing school charter vessel struck a reef and partially sank off the coast of Anegada on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
The incident involved the MV Nohea Holokai, a Lagoon 46 sailing catamaran, which reportedly made contact with a reef shortly after exiting the Anegada Channel. Structural damage caused the vessel to partially submerge. All 14 persons on board were safely removed from the vessel and no injuries were reported.
“A comprehensive safety investigation began on the same day of the incident,” said Jerome Padmore, Chief Marine Safety Accident Investigator at MSIRA. “We are following established investigative protocols to collect and analyze all relevant data to determine the circumstances surrounding this occurrence.”
The MSIRA stated that its investigations are conducted with the sole aim of improving maritime safety and are not intended to assign blame or determine liability.
“The findings of this investigation will be shared publicly at an appropriate time upon its conclusion,” Padmore said.
In a statement issued by the Premier’s Office, the Authority reminded the public that the reporting of marine accidents is a legal requirement under Section 7 of the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations, 2020.
The MV Nohea Holokai was part of a sailing school charter, though the name of the company operating the charter has not been disclosed.
The MSIRA operates under the Premier’s Office and is tasked with conducting independent investigations into marine accidents and incidents within the territorial waters of the Virgin Islands. The Authority’s mandate is guided by both local legislation and international standards, including the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code.
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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