The British Virgin Islands has issued a safety message to its marine tourism industry after recording 20 marine accidents so far this year, with collisions and groundings accounting for 90% of reported cases.
According to the figures presented by Chief Marine Accident Investigator Jerome Padmore, nine of the 20 recorded accidents were collisions, nine were groundings and two involved fires.
The warning from the Government of the British Virgin Islands and its Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority exposes an important issue for a destination where thousands of vacationers take to the water: boats may be easy to rent, but safe navigation still depends on competence, preparation and judgment.
Padmore said, “Statistics do not establish the cause of an individual accident, but they help identify where exposure is occurring and where attention may be needed.”
The BVI’s geography is part of its attraction, with islands relatively close together, anchorages plentiful and protected waters making island-hopping appealing even to recreational sailors.
A direct numerical comparison with the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands would be misleading without equivalent datasets covering the same period, vessel categories, reporting thresholds and traffic volume.
The regulatory systems are also different, with the BVI operating under its own territorial maritime framework and international obligations, while U.S. Virgin Islands waters fall within a U.S. regulatory and Coast Guard enforcement environment.
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In November 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard responded to a 42-foot catamaran that grounded near Christmas Cove, St. Thomas, and in May 2026, a 45-foot catamaran caught fire and sank approximately 12 nautical miles south of St. Thomas.
These cases demonstrate that groundings and fires are by no means uniquely British Virgin Islands problems.
Visitors to the BVI and USVI should take several precautions to ensure their safety while chartering a boat.
- Be truthful about boating experience, as charter companies need accurate information to determine whether a bareboat skipper is suitable for the intended trip.
- Take the boat handover seriously, knowing the engines, electrical systems, anchor, navigation equipment, fire extinguishers, radio, emergency equipment and lifejackets before departure.
- Do not handle only by following a chartplotter line, as electronic navigation is a tool, not a substitute for maintaining a lookout, understanding charts, checking position and observing the actual water around the boat.
- Ask about recent local hazards, as charter operators should be able to brief customers about reefs, difficult entrances, restricted areas, weather considerations and local navigational risks.
- Verify commercial operators, particularly in the USVI, to ensure that the captain and vessel meet applicable Coast Guard requirements.
- Know where the lifejackets are and wear them when conditions warrant, as U.S. recreational vessels must carry an approved wearable personal flotation device for each person aboard.
- Know how to call for help, using VHF Channel 16 in U.S. waters or the dedicated lines published by MSIRA in the BVI.
Reporting accidents is also an important part of the safety system, as investigators need reliable information to identify recurring hazards and recommend measures capable of preventing another accident.
According to Padmore, accident reporting is not simply bureaucracy, but a necessary step in maintaining a safe marine environment, which is essential for the cruise tourism industry.
The British Virgin Islands’ marine accidents highlight the importance of competence, preparation and judgment in safe navigation, and visitors should take necessary precautions to ensure their safety while chartering a boat in the region.
It is essential for visitors to be aware of the risks involved in boating and take the necessary steps to mitigate them.