BVI opens digital licensing system for boat operators and vessel permits

The Government of the Virgin Islands has opened a digital platform for the marine tourism industry to obtain and manage vessel licences and short-term cruising permits.

The Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing (CRVL) Portal becomes operational on Saturday, 7 November, at crvl.gov.vg. Boat owners, operators and locally appointed agents must now file all licence applications, renewals and related paperwork through the system rather than submitting documents in person.

Premier Natalio D. Wheatley described the move as part of efforts to streamline business operations in the territory. "The marine tourism sector is the cornerstone of our economy, and the owners, operators and agents who sustain it, deserve a licensing service that keeps pace with their business," he said. "With the CRVL Portal, they can now apply for a CRVL licence and purchase Cruising Permits from anywhere, at any time."

The platform accommodates nine licence categories: day charters based locally or overseas, term charters, water taxi services, large and mega yacht operations, intra-trading permits and importation permits. Users navigate a four-step form, retain the ability to save incomplete submissions, attach required paperwork and monitor application status throughout the process.

Most applications receive a decision within five to seven business days. Applicants pay no fee when submitting; charges are collected online only after approval is granted, and the licence becomes available immediately as a downloadable PDF.

Existing licence holders can renew through their licence page without filing a fresh application. The system sends expiry reminders at 90, 60 and 30 days before the deadline, and previously submitted details populate automatically. Early renewal does not extend the licence term, which always runs for one year from the original expiry date.

Cruising Permits function as daily permits priced according to passenger capacity. Applicants specify travel dates, the captain's identity, passenger numbers and whether the charter will be bareboat or crewed, and the cost displays before payment is processed.

Operators based outside the BVI must hire a registered local agent to file applications on their behalf, under the Cruising and Home Port Permit (Amendment) Act, 2025. The portal includes a searchable directory of approved agents.

Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett said the system cuts processing delays, strengthens data protection and gives both users and the CRVL Unit live access to application records. First-time users can contact the CRVL Unit at [email protected], (284) 468-2232 or (284) 468-3297 for assistance.