The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir:

AN INCONVENIENCE AT THE FERRY TERMINAL

Please permit me space in your well-read newspaper to express my disappointment with the delay and inconvenience that I experienced when I arrived at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal from the US Virgin Islands via St. Maarten/St. Martin.

I must say that there were a number of other persons with me who experienced the same difficulties. I was so troubled that I decided to write this letter in the hope that something can be done about the handing out of customs forms on arrival at the port. Now don’t get me wrong. Being a frequent traveller everywhere I am aware that forms to declare goods imported into any country are a normal requirement. To be honest, I am surprised that it took Anguilla so long to catch up with, and implement, this requirement for whatever reasons motivated the Customs Department to do so.

What is the general arrangement is that while some forms are kept at the ports, they are for the most part distributed to travel and tour operators, airlines and boats, to pass on to travellers/passengers for completion before they arrive at their destinations. Imagine arriving somewhere and standing in a long line with people filling out forms they were just handed! Imagine too if those persons are tourists, weary travellers wanting to rest in some hotel, guest house or villa after a long trip.

I see no reason for why a ferryboat, like an aircraft, should not be supplied with customs declaration forms so that just before they board the carrier, or while in travel, passengers can fill out the documents at their leisure. This will obviously save time at the ports of entry, for both the travellers and the customs officers.

If the particular ferryboat, which brought me to Anguilla ran out of the forms (if they were issued to the captain and crew), then they should have requested an additional supply. If the Customs Department failed to give them the forms in the first place, that was a mistake which must not be repeated.

Anne Williams

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