St Martin- Can I enter via Dutch side to clear into French side?

[teneicm]

Anyone been to St Martin recently? Can I enter the Lagoon through the dutch side bridge on my way to the French side of the lagoon to clear in with the French side? Do I have to stop and pay a bridge fee?

The reason I ask is that it seems simpler and cheaper to clear in with the French side of the island, but the Dutch bridge is wider and the channels into the lagoon are deeper.

Cheers- Matt

[boatman61]

You Pussy...

[teneicm]

Yup, undeniably a pussy. Although in this case not exactly sure why.....

[MarkJ]

Yes, go in through the Dutch bridge, then through the causeway bridge, its 15 minutes after the Dutch bridge.

Clear in in the French side in the Capitanare in marina Royal, NOT the imigration secition in the Marigot ferry terminal.

Yes, you do need to pay the dutch bridge toll but its only $7 for a 40 foot boat.

You are right not to use the French bridge. The markers in the Lagood from the French side have been knocked out and there are many many groundings there.
I never use the French bridge.

Theres no "pussy" about it. Its insanity to run a boat aground when for $7 you can be safe.

[teneicm]

Thanks Mark. So where/when do you pay the $7 bridge toll?

[boatman61]

Coz I'm drinking Tanqueray... no offense meant..
But on a serious note.. go in Dutch side then anchor French side..? you've either got the racket from the planes.. or the grief of trying to negotiate the channel to the other side of the Witches Tit.. to be honest I'd skip the lagoon and anchor in Marigot Bay or Grande Case.. at least you can dive over the side each morning and swim in clean water..

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by boatman61

p. to be honest I'd skip the lagoon and anchor in Marigot Bay or Grande Case...[/SIZE][/FONT]

As you havent been here for a long time you have missed the news that the Harbour boat comes around each day in margot bay and collect the rent for the night. It aint free no more!

Grand Case is good... But you are miles from the chandelries etc... And thats what people come to St Martin for.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

As you havent been here for a long time you have missed the news that the Harbour boat comes around each day in margot bay and collect the rent for the night. It aint free no more!

Grand Case is good... But you are miles from the chandelries etc... And thats what people come to St Martin for.

Being an EU citizen...

[Palarran]

You can't argue with Mark on this as he's the expert. But if the question is "can" you, then yes. My 25' beam fit through.

[VirtualVagabond]

As of July last year there were boats that went through the Dutch bridge to and from the Witch's Tit without paying for the bridge, ever...

We on the other hand figured we'd do the 'right thing' which doesn't come naturally, and got stung $40 for an exit and reentry when we went around to Grand Case for a weekend change of scene.
Seems it costs a bit to get a bowsprit through a bridge!

Vic

PS and I thought Pussy was a term of endearment for cat sailors

[Palarran]

Oh, Vic, we do enjoy them

[Zanshin]

Grand Case is my pied-a-terre when in St. Martin but the only way I get shopping done or visit the chandleries is to rent a car (which can be done for $30 or so off-season) and then negotiate the miserable traffic to get to Cole Bay; traffic that rivals the Los Angeles freeways at rush. So I'd do what the others have suggested - go through the Dutch bridge and head straight for the Witches Tit on the French side.
I believe the bill for the Dutch bridge is paid when you next clear into the Dutch side, they do keep track and have a long memory.

[SVAspen]

Actually they have cameras on the Dutch side bridge and count how many times you use the bridge to determine the cost!

[teneicm]

We ended up skipping the lagoon and anchoring outside the bridges, on the Dutch side. No bridge or lagoon fees--very reasonable and 100 yards from chocolate croissants. Thanks for the advice all.