Onlookers reported concerns of what seemed to be an early morning fire on Marina Cay. A video of the incident was also placed on Social Media platform, Facebook.However, after investigations, our newsroom was able to confirm that it was a controlled fire, and that there was no damage to property. 

A Gumption Experience Tour vessel operating in the North Sound near Necker Island has reportedly sank with seven passengers on board. People in the immediate area responded to help those onboard. Reports saw the passengers swimming to the rescue vessel.The vessel believed to be operated by Captain Allington “Gumption” Creque at the time is one of his glass bottom excursion vessels. Captain Creque is also reportedly safe. Further details will be shared as the rescue mission conti...

Paul Jack Apprehended During Joint Operation.

Veteran Tourism Expert to Lead BVI’s Tourism Marketing Initiatives

Demion Percival who was described by his former boss and colleague Floyd ‘Heritage’ Burnette as a rising star in talk radio, has been hired by the Government of the Virgin Islands. He now holds the role of Economic Planning Officer at the Public Works Department, and today Monday January 6th, would be his third (3rd) day on the job. Who Is Demion Percival:Former Government EmployeeDemion Percival is a former civil servant, and last served the territory as Commissioner of the Tax...

The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has revealed the Categories for its 2025 show. The categories have been refreshed with an addition of five (new) categories. The five (5) new categories include: Customer Service Star Award Excellence From The Family Islands The Performing Arts: Choreography and             Dance Award The Industrialists Award Visual Arts-Photography Award A total of twenty-two (22) categories will be presented, with The Lifetime Achieve...

The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is thrilled to announce the arrival of the first babies of the new year, born at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital.At 12:10 PM, Rebecca Wohning and Oliver Scott welcomed their beautiful baby boy, James Scott, weighing 3.455 kg (7 lbs 6 oz). Just one minute later, at 12:11 PM, Shantel Caine and Seymore Cole celebrated the arrival of their lovely baby girl, weighing 3.205 kg (7 lbs 0.5 oz).Each year, in celebration of these precious arrivals, the National...

On one of the heaviest travel days of the year, ferry service from the Waterfront is limited to two (2) ferries, with the last ferry for the day leaving at 11am for St. Thomas. Through calls from frustrated travelers to our newsroom, guests have had to return to their hotels, and locals to their homes, and forced to rebook flights. Some travelers have resorted to booking private charters. A travelers worst nightmare. In reaching out to one ferry company, we were advised that the schedu...

The BVI Airports Authority (the Authority) recently honoured senior Firefighters, Messrs. Richard Penn and Kemuel Merry, who will officially retire from the service on December 31.The officers commenced their aviation firefighting career in December 1999 with the then Civil Aviation Department and were transferred to the BVI Airports Authority in June 2006.Remarks were delivered at the recognition ceremony by Director of People and Culture Mrs. Dawn Leonard on behalf of Managing Director Mr. Kur...

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) Hong Kong Office brought together staff from its office, the BVI Financial Services Commission – Hong Kong, as well as students of the BVI Asia Abroad Scholarship Programme in its annual Christmas lunch last Saturday.Director of the BVI Hong Kong Office, Dr. Ricardo Wheatley said the festive gathering on December 21 provided a warm and meaningful opportunity for the students to connect with one another and celebrate the season.Dr. Wheatley said, “We a...

We are understanding that a family dispute has temporarily shuttered Alphonso Gas Station in East End. Customers have said they were unable to enter the establishment this morning. Images sent to our newsroom early this morning, show trucks blocking the entrance to the gas station, stopping customers from being serviced. We are not sure what may have caused the dispute, however Guavaberry Media will keep you updated on this developing story. 

The BVI Government’s Representative Office in Hong Kong Celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary having opened its doors in 2013-2014 as a shared space with the with BVI Financial Services Commission Representative Office. Opening some 11 years after BVI’s London Office, its opening was a watershed moment in the modern history of the Virgin Islands, extending the BVI Government’s management of its own economic interests beyond the Caribbean, Europe, and North America into the Asia-Pa...

The Office of the Deputy Governor and the Department of Human Resources have launched a Job Evaluation Project for the Public Service.Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome said through the project, the team would utilise data on job profiles within the Public Service to determine the relative value the role brings to the organisation.The project will be executed jointly by the Office of the Deputy Governor and the Department of Human Resources wh...

On Monday 9th December, the Inquiries Act, 2024 came into force. This is the first new piece of primary legislation to be brought into force as a result of the Commission of Inquiry.The Act repeals and replaces the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1880, and will be used to govern any future public inquiries in the Virgin Islands. The Act sets new rules for appointing commissioners and describes the powers an inquiry will have.Governor Pruce said “I am delighted that we now have a modern and rob...

The Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) are the Inter-Secondary Division Chess Tournament 2024 winners in both junior and senior divisions.Shamoy Joseph placed first, Jordan Hinds placed second, while Rayante Edwards from St. Georges’ Secondary School placed third in the Senior Secondary Division.In the junior division, the top three students are Dimitri Fungfook of ESHS who placed first, and remained undefeated throughout the tournament, Royson Adams of ESHS placed second, while Ms. Shane-An...

This Christmas, the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital (DDOSH) experienced the true spirit of giving, thanks to the thoughtful contributions of Ogier, Smiths Gore, and the Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town. Their generosity brought comfort and joy to patients and staff, making the holiday season brighter for everyone.The Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town donated pillows, hospital gowns, and self-care kits to the Emergency Room on Giving Tuesday. They also decorated the grand Christm...

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has expressed gratitude to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) for its donation of Christmas gifts to more than 100 children across the Territory.The Government of the Virgin Islands partnered with the FCCA and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) to bring holiday joy by distributing Christmas gifts to the children at the YEP Headquarters in East End December 16.  Staff from the MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship entertaine...

The multi-faceted community development programme, Roots & Resilience: Together We Thrive, presented by the Territorial At-Large Representative, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, was launched on Friday, 6th December, 2024. The Paint the Town: Community Beautification Project was identified as the firstproject to be implemented. East End along with Long Look and Anegada communities were chosen to be the first recipients of the initiative. Hon. Smith, stated, “The Terrance B. Lettsome Inte...

In a recent communication from the British Virgin Islands Banking Association, businesses were advised to refrain from charging a minimum for card purchases or imposing of processing fees on card transactions. While the association claims that such practices are illegal, it does not reference any specific laws or provisions to support this assertion. In fact, our initial review indicates that there is no existing legislation in the BVI prohibiting businesses from charging fees for credit card tr...

Green VI happily invites all VI residents to join in and help make the Holiday Season bright, green and sustainable!  Let’s embrace eco-friendly ways to say “Happy Holidays” and “I Love You” by re-thinking past customs and embracing creative new approaches to gifting, shopping, cooking, decorating and more. Here’s some tips for a “VI Green” Season of caring, sharing and living healthier:  Gift Experiences Instead of Things by gifting...