Just got this message passed on...Wow, that must have hurt!
Urgent!!!
Dear Captains,
The friendly folks at the BVI Customs House in Road Town (and West End) have begun enforcing their rule regarding anchoring within site of the Customs House in order to check in. just this morning, two yachts went into the marina first - they were both fined $2500 (down from the maximum of $5000) for not anchoring in view! In the past they may have quacked at you, wagged their bureaucratic fingers at you, but not stuck you with a big fine.
Last time we checked in at West End (Soper's Hole), Tortola, BVIs they asked where we were anchored. We pointed at our boat which was on one of the moorings just across from Customs. Remember to play nice and by their rules :)
We were recently told about a charter yacht who took his guests to a restricted bay in Anguilla for the afternoon and didn't bother to check in. Why? Especially with a paying charter!!! Not smart.
