Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Dr. Marcia Potter is assuring the business community that the installation of sea markers will not hinder their business activities and livelihood.

 The assurance comes as the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) prepare to demarcate sections of several harbours and bays to ensure safe passage of vessels.

Dr. Potter said the universal navigational markers signal the safe access points into high use bays thus reducing risk to visiting yachts and the environment in the event of groundings due to navigational error.

 “The restoration and establishment of the equipment to aid the safe travel of vessels into high traffic bays is needed.” Dr. Potter further added, “We will like to assure the business community specifically from Trellis Bay that the installation of these sea markers will not hinder the business activities and their livelihood as access to the Government’s dock along the west of Bellamy Cay still remains.

The Permanent Secretary said the reinstatement of the navigational system post 2017 hurricanes at Cane Garden Bay, Trellis Bay, North Sound (Saba Rock/Oil Nut Bay) White Bay, and Jost Van Dyke is imperative to ensure safety of residents and visitors especially during the tourist season.

Following the storms of 2017, the BVI Ports Authority reinstated the majority of the markers leaving a few remaining areas to undertake installations. Stakeholder meetings were held to discuss the outstanding markers and identify areas of opportunity to improve navigational safety.

The Territory’s Sea Markers are managed by the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) with input on placement from Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR).