Anguilla moves closer to regulating St. Martin/St. Maarten party boats

ANGUILLA--The Government of Anguilla is moving closer to introducing new rules governing so-called “party boats” operating from St. Martin and St. Maarten in Anguillian waters, with draft legislation now being finalized following concerns raised by coastal tourism businesses. According to reporting by Anguilla Focus, the proposed measures are expected to involve changes to Anguilla’s Cruising Permit framework as well as amendments to customs regulations.

The issue was discussed during a September 16 meeting involving Premier Cora Richardson Hodge and members of her Cabinet, representatives of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority, Customs Department and the Attorney General’s Chambers. Parliamentary Counsel Serena Connor reportedly provided an overview of the legislation under development, after which tourism stakeholders were invited to offer feedback.

The initiative follows concerns from businesses along Anguilla’s coastline about the effect some visiting vessels are having on their operations and guests. Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association CEO Cherecia Lewis indicated that the concerns extend beyond noise and include guest safety and wellbeing, possible economic effects on coastal properties, environmental issues and the overall visitor experience.

Anguilla already has a Cruising Permit Act governing charter vessels operating within its territorial waters. Under the existing law, a charter boat may not cruise in Anguilla’s territorial sea without the owner first obtaining a cruising permit from the Comptroller of Customs. The Comptroller may also attach conditions or limitations to those permits.

The accompanying Cruising Permit Regulations address matters including permit applications, validity periods, conditions, prohibited anchoring areas and cancellation of permits.

The current exercise therefore appears aimed at strengthening or adjusting the existing framework rather than creating regulation of visiting charter vessels from scratch.

During a government briefing on September 21, Richardson Hodge said draft work was underway involving the Cruising Permit Act and changes to customs regulations. She indicated that recommendations from the tourism sector would be incorporated before the proposals are submitted to Anguilla’s Executive Council and subsequently opened for public consultation.

The Premier also made clear that Anguilla is not seeking to stop visiting boats from entering its waters. Rather, the stated objective is to bring greater order to their operations while balancing the interests of visiting vessels with those of restaurants, tourism properties and other local businesses operating along the coastline.

According to Anguilla Focus, the government hopes to have the legislation approved before the start of the upcoming tourism season.

The development will be of particular interest to St. Maarten and St. Martin operators, given the close marine tourism relationship between the neighboring islands. Day charters, excursion vessels and other boats regularly move between the territories, making any change in Anguilla’s cruising or customs requirements potentially relevant to operators carrying passengers into Anguillian waters.

The exact restrictions, operating conditions or new requirements that could ultimately apply have not yet been made public. Those details are expected to become clearer once the draft passes through the Executive Council process and reaches the public consultation stage.

Source: This article is based primarily on reporting by Anguilla Focus, with additional reference to Anguilla’s existing Cruising Permit Act and Regulations published by the Government of Anguilla.

Read the original Anguilla Focus article

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