Ministry Approves Off Grid RV Pilot Program
“This is an innovative and practical solution that aligns with our objectives for Bermuda’s natural spaces,” said Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch.
A Government spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Public Works is pleased to announce a pilot programme approved by the Minister to enhance the use of Bermuda’s natural spaces while promoting sustainable tourism.
“This pilot allows Off Grid RV Bermuda, operated by local entrepreneur Mrs Tomika Pacheco, to offer a single solar-powered recreational vehicle [RV] as luxury accommodation on a rotational basis in ten designated government parks.”
Minister Burch said on the decision: “By integrating temporary accommodations into our parks in a sustainable manner, we are providing unique opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy these locations without compromising their integrity.”
The spokesperson said, “Off Grid RV Bermuda provides a seamless experience for guests looking to immerse themselves in Bermuda’s natural beauty while enjoying modern comforts. When booking online, guests can select their desired park location from ten carefully designated sites, including iconic spots like Fort Scaur, Church Bay, Warwick Long Bay East, and Coney Island.
“The single RV is pre-placed and fully set up before the guest’s arrival, ensuring a hassle-free stay. This setup includes positioning the RV in a designated area and ensuring it is clean, secure, and ready for occupancy.”
Minister Burch further stated: “We have ensured that strict regulations are in place to maintain the pristine condition of our parks. The RV will not be permanently stationed; it will rotate between locations to minimise environmental impact and ensure all park users continue to have access.
“I want to be clear that this pilot reflects our commitment to responsibly making the best use of Bermuda’s assets.”
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Senator Owen Darrell welcomed the initiative, stating: “This is an innovative way for our tourists to engage in Bermuda’s beautiful open spaces and pristine water views.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how this project enriches outdoor experiences for our visitors and enhances our tourism product.”
The spokesperson said, “The RV is solar-powered, eco-friendly, and equipped with amenities such as sleeping quarters, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. It provides the comforts of home within a compact and sustainable design.
“After each guest’s stay, Off Grid RV Bermuda thoroughly cleans up the site to ensure the park remains pristine and untouched, adhering to the ‘leave no trace’ principle. Practically, the RV is stationed in allocated areas within the parks, marked by red tags on park maps and approved by the Ministry of Public Works. These designated spots ensure minimal environmental impact and respect for the public’s use of the parks.
“Importantly, the RV is moved as needed and will not remain in any one location for more than two weeks at a time. This rotational model maintains the natural integrity of the sites and ensures shared access for all park users.”
Mrs Pacheco shared her vision, stating: “Off Grid RV Bermuda was created to inspire a deeper connection with nature while providing a unique and sustainable way to recharge and relax.
“By integrating a solar-powered RV into Bermuda’s stunning parks, we strive to offer an unforgettable escape that celebrates the island’s beauty while prioritising sustainability, environmental responsibility, and leaving no trace behind.”
The spokesperson said, “This pilot programme began on 1 November 2024. Members of the public have already started noticing the RV in the parks, sparking curiosity about this unique initiative, for more information or to book a stay, visit www.offgridrvbermuda.com.
“The Ministry of Public Works remains dedicated to responsibly managing Bermuda’s natural resources and encouraging new opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy the Island’s stunning outdoor spaces.”
And so the introduction of trailer parks (or caravan parks) in Bermuda.
More like the OBA Headquarters after the next election.
Must you really try to make every comment about the next election?
Every comment on these media blogs now days is about either the PLP or OBA and your guilty too. 2025 is right around the corner and if you’re concerned already stay off social media.
So what happens when people decide to move in permanently???
“Answer” appears to be a consultant for the PLP, I am sure he or she or it can enlighten us.
Interesting. Could be something for those who are RVers and understand the limitations of RVs particulalrly small RVs, such as this 16′ single axle Airstream. Water capacity is less than 25gal, enough for two for one, maybe two nights. Holding tank capacity is 30gal. Every couple of days use with two people will need it to be hauled somewhere to have it’s holding tanks dumped and freshwater refilled.
This is the stuff not shown on TV showing the wonderful lifestyle of RVing.
Battery capacity is small also and of course solar is limited by the small panel and the amount of sun it gets.
What is being offered is what in the RV world is known as Dry camping or Boondocking, i.e. no hookups, no utility services. It is camping self contained. No BELCO. No unlimited water. In the marine world we know it as being ‘on the hook’. We have what we brought and we had better be careful with it.
Good luck to the operators. Trailer alone is over $100,000 invested.
Bermudians love to camp. We have all of these parks, which are underused. Along with a commercial venture using the parks why do we not have a few dedicated camping areas in a few of these parks. Southlands springs to mind. No need for anything fancy. Something a little more than dry camping. A campground similar to those found in most US State Parks with 20amp power at site, water available on CG loop. Bermudians should be permitted to have trailers such as ‘A’ frames or pop ups which are perfectly capable of being towed by our small crossover type cars.
I love it I’m doing it already off grid it’s been 10 years ago
I thought they were for sale… would’ve been nice
I understand the title reads Pilot Program, but do really believe Bermudians desire to see these ugly RVs scattered all around the islands beautiful parks?????? Why are you fools allowing a Minister/Man to decide this who’s retiring off to Jamaica in 2025?
Most of the parks are way underused. The only time they get full use is the Cup Match weekend every year.
Given the motivation those who like to camp would use parks much more often. Campgrounds set up and managed like a US state park or Canadian Provincial Park CG would attract more use of public parks.
The rules are simple and they are enforced. Almost all have a two week max stay. Limits are two vehicles per site. No parking on access roads. Eight persons max per site overnighting. Quiet hours, usually 10PM-7AM enforced.
Price for US state parks having limited ammenities such as 20amp power, water available on the loop, toilet of some sort in the CG, a decent picnic table, a fire ring in a defined campsite are currently around the $30-$40 mark PD. That would be $60-$80 PD Bermuda prices.
Government likes to say that it is doing for the people, with little to show. Here is something there would be a public demand for, cost little to setup and provide some return in usage fees.
This is a joke right? Can someone bring back the UBP business men and women.
We have a dumb PLP and a weak+dumb OBA. Bermuda is really screwed
Another dumb idea like all of the posters stuck everywhere around the island. The Govt. Is doing its best to make us a ghetto. No wonder folks are leaving. It will not be as pretty as it used to be and guess what, more BS coming.
The policy of the PLP Government for more than 20 years now has been to make us more American and less British. This is an extension of that policy.
I agree 100%. Screwed big time.
Nobody wants to RV in Bermuda except someone who needs place to stay – we tried it with the 9 beaches.
Looks nice and sparkly now but after a few stays it will be filthy and require far more cleaning and upkeep than owner anticipates
Also, Why her? Were environment groups consulted – was the public consulted ? If minister wants to pilot things I can give him a 100 better ideas lol
Unlike the scrambling track at Coney Island, which tore up a park to create the track, this trailer will leave virtually no trace of it’s location.
I would hope that Government is getting a usage fee from the company on a per day use basis. I would also hope that the company is also held responsible for any damage caused by their unit or their customers.
Do you realize more people attended that scrambling event at Coney Island, when compared to what the OBA received in votes last election? More voters even when you compare the America’s Cup.
SO, you admit the PLP tore up Coney Island in a desperate attempt to buy votes. Thank you for spilling the truth.
The only thing the oba does desperate every election, is to recruit black surrogates as front candidates for a white established party.
Congratulations on showing the public that you have been brainwashed by PLP propaganda. You have been manipulated by the PLP. How does it feel?
It must really bug you knowing it’s the truth and the very reason it’s 30-6. How does it feel knowing right now the obaubpers have loss the next election?
The writer didn’t admit to anything, but you just admitted that the OBA doesn’t know how to connect with the white and black community.
Neither party has ever connected with me. I was once directly told a bunch of lies by the PLP’s most prominent politician, so I don’t trust that politician. They have gone on to prove themselves to be a liar in the public domain too.
“we tried it with the 9 beaches”
We tried it 20 years ago with more permanent “mobile homes”, the kind that are put together to make a “double wide”. The PLP government said it was low cost housing. And it was, until a hurricane came. Then those 20 or 30 or so housing units (I forget how many we purchased) became something else.
This has absolutely no comparisson with the waste of money mobile homes that the PLP brought in. Those mobile homes were one of the first PLP financial fiascos supposedly for low cost housing.
This trailer is private money for tourism purposes. Not even close.
Retiring member who purchased 13 NEW cars when nothing was wrong with others. This here, is ludicrous… Bermudians camp every summer and have to be offsite by date and time. Will these campers : have a season as our locals, to be moved off site, as locals have too, will security be assigned to campers sites, will the persons renting campers be cleaning up around their area and removing their trash offsite….not to large dumpster but Tynes Bay on way yo airport??
We are no longer able to attract the type of visitor we had in our heyday, so our Government is adjusting its approach to attract a different type of visitor.
As a government mechanic on vacation those old GP cars were in bad condition. Duct tape wasn’t evening working. After 13 +years it’s time to scrap them.
Why do you think the opposition party didn’t object! As for this RV, what’s stopping anyone from doing the same concept and placing one on their own property?
“what’s stopping anyone from doing the same concept and placing one on their own property?”
Planning laws.
Wrong. It’s a vehicle. Not in planning’s jurisdiction.
“Wrong. It’s a vehicle. Not in planning’s jurisdiction.”
So anyone can keep a 40 foot container on a trailer in their yard. That is good to know.
Planning laws have no laws under this.
It’s called PILOT PROGRAM dumb dumb.
I think you mean “programme”, not “program”.
It’s over 400 a night to rent it-why would anyone do that when it’s cheaper to be in four walls and you have WiFi?
This sounds like … vertical gardening, fishing processing and chicken farms … some ideas just don’t work but if she can do this what’s stopping anyone renting a food truck or the like and renting that in their back yard? No difference at all!
Maybe trailers are the answer to our housing issues ?
Wow! People really are chalenged when it comes to reading. Locals are welcome to try it if they like, but this is really aimed at the visitor.
It is nothing new. Many US campgrounds have trailers onsite for anyone to rent. Some have yurts. Some have simple cabins. It is a method of travel that very few Bermudians know anything at all about.
Whether it works in Bermuda remains to be seen. This business has not cost the taxpayer a single dollar. What is the fuss?
If it fails it will no be the first to do so. There is a submarine at the bottom of the bay at Coney Island. The water taxi business did not last a year. The stay aboard diveboat failed. Bungee jumping failed. The shark jumping thinghy failed. The waterjet things on your feet failed. Many others, even those offering more conventional activities, have failed.
If this business is successful, great. If not the owners will have a $100,000 Airstream trailer on their hands with no use for it.
That about sums it up !
Interesting. Has anyone compared this to the BTA’s failed plan to plant shipping containers in parks to sell food and trinkets? I loved it when that group of old women gave the head of the BTA a beatdown.
At least RV’s have wheels.
We can placed the OBA party in this one after the election and wheel it back into the ocean.
Hey, Answer, you did not answer the question above.
“So what happens when people decide to move in permanently???”
Maybe he /she came off their bike after hitting one of the potholes he/she is so proud of. (Probably a youth that has no idea of how good the roads used to be before the PLP neglected the infrastructure of the island…Burch admitted this too) ps the patching being done is causing more problems.
OBA can already fit into one!