Crew Members

The 1st Mate/Chef

The first mate/chef should also be hospitable, and very flexible. Formal culinary qualifications are certainly an asset. All crew working on a crewed yacht based in the BVI are required to have completed the STCW basic qualifications course.

Work Permits

In order to work in the BVI as crew of charter vessels (ie. allowed to do limitless charter pick ups), crew (non BVI citizens) must hold BVI work permits.  The order of things is first the Trade License, and then comes the work permits. This order only differs if one chooses to operate under the trade license of a yacht management company. Work permit applications are obtained from and returned to the Labour Department.

The process seems daunting, but it’s no different from what non-citizens go through to enter the US or the UK to work legally.  The name(s) on the trade license is the employer; therefore if you are the holder of the trade license you require a Self-Employed work permit whereas an Employee Permit is required for hired crew. Upon approval, permission is granted to enter the territory.  Immigration status is then granted and the charter vessel becomes a viable BVI-based operation.

Work permits can cost about $1000 - $1200 each and must be renewed annually. A cash bond of $1000 - $3000 (dependent on country of citizenship) per person must be posted.  The bond will be returned upon departure from the territory.Bonds are only relevant for those operating under their own trade license.

Once part of the BVI labour force, workers are required to pay into Social Security (SSB), National Health Insurance (NHI) and Inland Revenue (taxes).