The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announced that the Division of Environmental Enforcement (DEE) is continuing vessel and mooring registrations for the 2019-2020 year, and the department reminded that all vessels in the territory — including kayaks and jet skis — should be registered.
D.P.N.R. cited Virgin Islands Code 25 § 291, which states that a “”Vessel” means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.”
Also, pursuant to 25 V.I.C. § 292, “No person shall use or operate any vessel including sailboats, hobbie-cats, dinghies, tenders, jet skis, or other similar contrivances on any of the waters of the Virgin Islands unless:
(1) such vessel is registered with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources; and
(2) an identifying number and decal are visibly displayed on the vessel and the operator can present a valid registration certificate.
The department said effective immediately, all owners of kayaks, dinghies, tenders, jet skis, or any means of transportation on U.S. Virgin Islands water must be registered by the Department of Planning of Natural Resources, DEE Division by June 30, 2019.”
Boaters are asked to walk with the most current registration cards to expedite the process. If this is your first time registering a vessel, you must provide the division with a notarized bill of sale or affidavit of vessel ownership, D.P.N.R. said.
Boaters are also reminded that registration after June 30 will be considered late and may be subject to a late fee.
Mail-in registration will also be accepted for both districts.