New V.I. Mooring, Anchoring Fees to Come

With all due respect I don't believe that any part of DPNR's job is to provide security for marine craft.

Yes it is. Any theft on the water falls under DPNR's jurisdiction. The US coastguard also patrol but they are not law enforcement. The VI Port Authority are responsible for/have jurisdiction over what happens on docks such as the Frederiksted pier. Ports and harbors should be secured facilities with security--especially when they are Homeland Security checkpoints (as the pier is).

With all due respect I don't believe that any part of DPNR's job is to provide security for marine craft.

Yes it is. Any theft on the water falls under DPNR's jurisdiction. The US coastguard also patrol but they are not law enforcement. The VI Port Authority are responsible for/have jurisdiction over what happens on docks such as the Frederiksted pier. Ports and harbors should be secured facilities with security--especially when they are Homeland Security checkpoints (as the pier is).

Nowhere does it say that DPNR is responsible for providing security for marine craft:

"In Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (“DPNR”) was established in 1987 under the Government Reorganization and Consolidation Act. The DPNR serves as the agency responsible for the administration and enforcement of all laws pertaining to the preservation and conservation of fish and wildlife, trees and vegetation, coastal zones, cultural and historical resources, water resources, and air, water and oil pollution. It is also responsible for oversight and compliance of land survey, land subdivision, development and building permits, earth change permits, zoning administration, boat registration, and mooring and anchoring of vessels within territorial waters. Simultaneously, the DPNR formulates long-range comprehensive and functional development plans for the human, economic and physical resources of the territory.

- See more at: http://naturalresourceslaw.uslegal.com/state-department-of-natural-resources/virgin-islands/#sthash.zjw75qsw.dpuf "

Look, I'm not going to try and beat a dead horse, but if you re-read the Source article, it clearly states that DPNR wants to use the money from mooring fee increases to fund more enforcement officers. They do have jurisdiction and are supposed to provide safety and security in territorial waters.

"While some argue raising the fees will hurt the marine industry, Francis said, "I feel it will be the opposite," because more fees will allow more enforcement officers, new vessels and more patrols, which will increase safety and security.

The new fee schedule [Bill 31-0333] would charge $10 per foot per year for pleasure craft; $15 per foot for live-aboard craft; and $20 per foot for commercial craft.

DPNR Commissioner Dawn Henry told the committee the fees would help DPNR hire more officers for its Division of Environmental Enforcement, enabling more emergency response and more patrols for safety and environmental violations. She later said the BVI charges $12 per foot for pleasure craft, with a minimum fee of $420 per month."

DPNR has an enforcement division--I have the director on speed dial. They know they are not doing enough, know they are not patrolling adequately, hence the need to hire more. I just don't think raising mooring fees this dramatically is the way to do it.

" Simultaneously, the DPNR formulates long-range comprehensive and functional development plans for the human, economic and physical resources of the territory."

ROFL

Yes, stxem, I understand their responsibilities where enforcement is concerned but they are NOT responsible for providing security for your boat out on a mooring. Just as my landlord can't be held responsible if my rental unit were to be burglarized (unless said landlord conspired with and let the burglars in). Nor is a boatyard owner responsible for theft and/or damage to a boat in a rented slip unless gross negligence can be proved. That was my only point. I'm really sorry you suffered losses but you certainly can't expect DPNR to provide 24/7 security for every boat out on one of their moorings.

Do any boat owners hook up security cameras on their boats to monitor and record?

They get stolen.

Very helpful, Alana. Thanks.

I did a bit of browsing and there's some neat stuff out there with new technology coming along all the time to combat one of the bigger problems of the past which centered around the lack of sufficient power to run a really top notch system with remote monitoring.

Learn something new every day!

Yes, and I have cameras on my boat. Unfortunately they stole my kayak off my mooring while I was on charter. I don't expect 24/7 security, but I do expect a presence of some kind--just like there is police presence on land. Right now, there is NOTHING and the thefts have been getting out of control. Other boats have been robbed too. Just like when there is no police response to an incident on land --criminals realize they can get away with it and become more and more emboldened.

VI port authority is also supposed to provide lights on the dock. It's a working port. And a navigational light on the end of the pier. The nav light is currently out, and when it's been on, it's pathetic. And every night there's been a boat robbery, the dock lights on the pier have been out. Coincidence? The security cameras on the pier can't pick up images when the lights are out. The security guard that is there from 9am-9pm often leaves early and when he is there, he sits in his car all day. It's truly a pathetic situation out here that we are all trying our best to deal with. All the boat owners in Frederiksted chose to live here and set up our businesses here. I accept that and live with that. But raising the mooring fees on all of us so dramatically is like rubbing salt in an already open wound.

Maybe you can get all the boat owners together and request a face to face with head of DPNR to voice your concerns with the issues described. Good luck.
It pays to be persistent as "squeaky wheels get the grease," as the saying goes.

Already doing so. Have also voiced concerns with VI port Authority, VIPD, the senate etc...

(tu)

Yes, and I have cameras on my boat. Unfortunately they stole my kayak off my mooring while I was on charter. I don't expect 24/7 security, but I do expect a presence of some kind--just like there is police presence on land. Right now, there is NOTHING and the thefts have been getting out of control. Other boats have been robbed too. Just like when there is no police response to an incident on land --criminals realize they can get away with it and become more and more emboldened.

VI port authority is also supposed to provide lights on the dock. It's a working port. And a navigational light on the end of the pier. The nav light is currently out, and when it's been on, it's pathetic. And every night there's been a boat robbery, the dock lights on the pier have been out. Coincidence? The security cameras on the pier can't pick up images when the lights are out. The security guard that is there from 9am-9pm often leaves early and when he is there, he sits in his car all day. It's truly a pathetic situation out here that we are all trying our best to deal with. All the boat owners in Frederiksted chose to live here and set up our businesses here. I accept that and live with that. But raising the mooring fees on all of us so dramatically is like rubbing salt in an already open wound.

I hope you mean theft or larceny rather than robbery.

Just curious, did you call DPNR security or the police to report the referenced incident?

Theft, larceny whatever it is called. Yes, police called each time, report filed. Yes on DPNR, also have let US Coastguard and Vi Port Authority know. DPNR is going to try to send out more patrols but they are very short staffed.