Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. and as head of the VI Public Finance Authority, has proposed the construction of a cruise pier to accommodate two additional Oasis-class berths at the West Indian Company dock.

Presently WICO and the Crown Bay facility can accommodate three to four mega-cruise ships in one day, making this proposal unwarranted.  At the same time it can destroy the natural beauty of our harbor and add to the ever-escalating traffic congestion on the Waterfront and other highly-traveled roads.

The lack of transparency of this project is manifold:

• The PFA has authorized $17 million in bond securities for the dredging of the harbor referred to for maintenance, but no dredging plan appears available to the public.
• If the lawsuit by Yacht Haven regarding the Long Bay Landing site is not resolved, has an alternative site been selected by the Board?
• What are the terms in the Memorandum of Understanding between the VI Government and Royal Caribbean signed in 2021 for both parties?  If, as has been said, that Royal Caribbean is fronting the money for the new dock, what are we giving up in return?
• If tourism is to remain an important part of our economy, why is the main emphasis placed on hosting hordes of cruise ship passengers and not on attracting longer-stay visitors who spend more money and have a greater economic impact on the Territory?  Recognizing this, Vision 2040 www.usvi2040.com/theplan (a blueprint for our future) placed focusing on this sector as one of its highest priorities.