St. Barths Anchorage

[Zanshin]

I might not head over to the Dutch side tonight, I hear the water police/coast guard is trolling for dollars. According to the cruiser's net they stopped one dinghy and issue a citation (payable in cash immediately) for not having FLARES aboard, and another with drunk sailors aboard for 350 Euro yesterday, and I don't feel like packing anchor, life vests, flares, paddles, spare light aboard - and even if I do they'll most likely charge me for not having an EPIRB, liferaft or emergency supplies or some such...
D**n Dutch!

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

Mark, we're in St. Barth's now. May stay through the Bucket, pop me an email if you get over here. We're anchored at the edge of the Gustavia anchorage.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

I might not head over to the Dutch side tonight, I hear the water police/coast guard is trolling for dollars. According to the cruiser's net they stopped one dinghy and issue a citation (payable in cash immediately) for not having FLARES aboard, and another with drunk sailors aboard for 350 Euro yesterday, and I don't feel like packing anchor, life vests, flares, paddles, spare light aboard - and even if I do they'll most likely charge me for not having an EPIRB, liferaft or emergency supplies or some such...
D**n Dutch!

Actually I think you'll find that the old "Dutch Side" is no longer "Dutch".... they voted for Independence a few years back and are running their own show...
But I could be wrong.... again..
The Elections/Independence movement was still underway when I left in '07...

[Zanshin]

The Dutch side is still Dutch, just a bit different as to their status. The government changed this year and so far there haven't been concrete changes but there are some in the pipeline. The store owners fear new taxes.

[GordMay]

I didn’t know that St. Barth’s even had a Dutch side.
In 2003 the populations of St. Martin and St. Barthélemy voted in favour of secession from Guadeloupe (an Oversea Department) in order to form separate Overseas Collectivities of France. The new status took effect in 2007.

Of course, the Island of St. Martin does have a Dutch side (Sint Maarten).
As of October 2010, the Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of four (constituent) countries:
* Aruba
* Curaçao
* Netherlands
* Sint Maarten
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba joined the Netherlands proper.

[John A]

GordMay,
I think that St Maarten nolonger pays its Dutch taxes to Curaco.
I seem to remember a news item and a thread here at CF that the Netherlands Antilles was no more.

Perhaps, with your more exhaustive investactive expertise you could check on this?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by GordMay

... As of October 2010, the Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of four (constituent) countries:
* Aruba
* Curaçao
* Netherlands
* Sint Maarten
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba joined the Netherlands proper.

More ➥ Sint Maarten becomes constituent country of the Netherlands : THE SCOPE — the student-run newsletter of The American University of the Caribbean since 2010

[Teej]

Originally Posted by SAMPATICO

Going down to St. Barts for a day/night next week. Understand anchorage in Gustavia harbor is very crowded & next to impossible to find a spot. Any recommendations on best alternative with an accessible dink ride to town dock.
Thanks

Here's a great option for you. After spending a night in a crowded anchorage in Gustavia (and paying for the privilege of anchoring there) I moved my catamaran around to Shell Beach (the next bay). It was a terrific anchorage with minimal swell and gin clear water and a terrific beach and beach bar. Oh yes, and no anchorage charge to be there. There were only 5 boats anchored there when I left for Statia two nights ago so you can have my spot at Shell Beach.
Teej
s/v afLOAT

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by Teej

Here's a great option for you. After spending a night in a crowded anchorage in Gustavia (and paying for the privilege of anchoring there) I moved my catamaran around to Shell Beach (the next bay). It was a terrific anchorage with minimal swell and gin clear water and a terrific beach and beach bar. Oh yes, and no anchorage charge to be there. There were only 5 boats anchored there when I left for Statia two nights ago so you can have my spot at Shell Beach.
Teej
s/v afLOAT

I didn't realize that you where allowed to anchor overnight at Shell Beach. Where there other boats anchored around you at night?

Also, if you can anchor there you probably could at Anse Saline?

I'm surprised they don't charge you the same as outside Gustavia. I wonder if you accidently flew under their radar.

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

At Shell Beach you need two anchors and not everyone realizes that. And, yes, it is free. Richt now it is pretty calm there.

[Teej]

Originally Posted by Hannah on 'Rita T'

At Shell Beach you need two anchors and not everyone realizes that. And, yes, it is free. Richt now it is pretty calm there.

Actually you do NOT need two anchors there in decent weather. There were two monohulls closest to the beach with 2 anchors that had been there for awhile as we saw no signs of anybody aboard. There were another 3 boats, including mine, that only used one anchor and ensuring adequate swing room, should that have become a factor, it was a terrific anchorage. The holding is superb - I dove my anchor (CQR) and it was totally buried in sand. The beach is great. I only wish I had discovered it before spending our first night in the Gustavia harbour with scores of other boats all crowed in on both sides of the harbour entrance.
And re the free anchorage, I confirmed that with the Gustavia port office that it was indeed no cost to anchor at Shell Beach. When you dink ashore at Shell Beach it is a short walk to the centre of town.
Cheers!
Teej

[Zanshin]

Just to keep this thread on track and interesting, here is a shot of the view from the hill over Gustavia looking at the outer Gustavia anchorage (Zanshin is one of the boats further out towards the rocks and another of the final approach into St. Barths airport (click on the pictures to expand)

[Palarran]

What about Anse Saline? Anyone ever overnight there?

I'll be back down to SBH in two weeks. We are one day in Gustavia, one at Colombier and the third is undecided. Maybe I'll try Shell or Saline. We are then going to Anguilla for three nights. We'll spend two nights in Road Bay and one at Crokus. I'm looking forward to hanging on the beaches for once.