Boaters Be AWARE .... New Higher Fees Proposed

It's clear from the article that the rates haven't been increased in 10 years, the proposed increases aren't written in stone and that the public hearings are being held so that those who would be affected can voice their opinions. Would it suit you better if the increases were arbitrarily set in place with no public input? :S

This lady obviously has some agenda as yet not defined. The fact that she does no "general" postings, only ones against the present administration. Some may be factual, but she damages her cause, whatever that may be, by the totality of her messages.

Don't see how they will be able to inspect all the boats in the vi.. They have one captian in st thomas..and usually only one or two boats that run at any given time. On boats over 40ft thats a 400% mark up in fees for a mooring. What a fiasco that will be monitoring all those boats. I hope Tapia is ready to clone himself.

Just what do they get in return, public dock, trash bins located near by?

(if I have spelled something wrong=spell check gives error)

I really wish she would state her agenda. Maybe we should start a fund to buy her a ticket to somehwere more suitable to live, as obviously everthing around here bothers her.

What agenda? The USVI has a Gov.t infrastructure that equals that of a state like Florida. Florida has 13 million people. USVI has 110,000 residents. I am OK with tax increases as long as there is equal attention giving to right sizing of gov.t. and the development of a real longterm plan to address our biggest expense (electric).

Yes maybe the boating fees should be raised but they are proposing a HUGE step change increase in mooring fees. I don't have a live-aboard, so it won't impact me. This was posted to make those beiing impacted aware and so that they may have their voices heard. That's it. Over taxing should not be the solution.

ALSO - yes there is a spell-check error.

Maybe it's like sales, you ask high to end up at a happy medium. Hopefuly the fees will add for some new, if needed, officers to collect. But then, if the raises only covers the collections, why bother? I thought they already went around and collected. but apparently not.

The VI Gov. keeps saying it is broke which is why we are paying 5 property tax bills in a 12 month period, have had increases in gross receipt's tax, the gasoline/fuel tax, WAPA power and water increases, the STJ/STT ferries now want more Gov. subsidies and rate increases, again because after running their companies for 40 plus years they say they can't make substantial profits with their ALL CASH businesses, and our Senators continue to hand out Hundreds of Thousands of our Tax Dollars for "feasability studies" and the list goes on.

Is it surprising, they are looking for more ways to increase the money coming into the government coffers so even more $$$ can be mismanaged, misused, misspent, misappropriated, wasted and yes, stolen, in some cases?

Did we ever hear anything about the missing $6.9Million Dollars unaccounted for by the legislature in the Inspector General's audit that came out in December 2011? Do we get any services for all our tax dollars?

Sorry, maybe I am just feeling grumpy today.

Alana - exactly my point !!! Thanks.

Sorry, maybe I am just feeling grumpy today.

As long as grumpy is over the legal age of consent I don't think there is anything to be sorry about. 😎

But back to the topic.
I think these massive increases in fees are unfortunately likely to be the norm for all government departments. And I agree that they are asking for the stars, to probably settle for the moon, after some significant public opinion backlash - yet we still get stuck paying the moon! Oh so instead of 400% increase we'll settle for 200% and be thankful. And besides it's only them rich people who own those fancy boats anyways and they can afford it. So we aren't hurting the majority of our government dependant voting constituants. Guess I'm feeling a bit pissed on today too.

Pretty soon only the very wealthy shall be able to afford any kind of lifestyle in the VI as we shall all need to move to FL to afford electricity and groceries. ye gads!

Over the age of consent and still feeling grumpy

I could deal with a reasonable increase. The pathic part is that presently there is near nil enforcement. It is not uncommon to see boat registrations that have been expired for years or a moored boat with no mooring sticker. If the could grasp the concept of maintenance it would be a positive start. A few years ago there were moorings set at Cramer part and Smugglers cove but for want of rope the bouts parted and drifted away, now you have to use the hook. When I see all the boats thE STX Govt has for enforcement either sitting on the hard or joy riding along the coast at full ahead I just shake my head and for a split second what a paradise unrealized is and how little power we as individuals have. I'll comment about the fees and attempt to call attention to the marine industry and what they do to compensate for what they don't and try to get some measureable standards associated with any increases fees. I don't want to stop the carnival just inject a bit of .... Accountability? It would be good to get some input from the marine industry and boat people. That hole in the water is getting harder to fill.