Virgin Islands Shipping and Maritime Authority

The role of the Virgin Islands Shipping and Maritime Authority (VISMA) is to implement the Maritime policies of the British Virgin Islands Government covering shipping operations, safety of life at sea, security and the prevention of, and response to, pollution from ships. The VISMA also enforces the regulations applicable to Virgin Islands vessels, and for all vessels navigating in the territorial waters of the Virgin Islands. The VISMA develops appropriate standards of training, evaluation and certification for Virgin Islands seafarers and on-shore staff in accordance with the respective needs of international and domestic shipping and the BVI maritime industry, and it provides timely, accurate and appropriate information and advice to the Government, public and private sector organisations and the general public. Ships registered in the BVI are British Ships and fly the Red Ensign. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is the executive Agency of the Department of Transport responsible for maritime administration and has a supervisory role to ensure that the VISR (and other REG administrations) maintain the highest international standards in accordance with their obligations under the Conventions and in line with UK policy.