St. Maarten Yacht Fees

[John A]

Last week there was a short discussion about Georgetown chargeing fees for the privilege of staying/spending money in Georgetown. Perhaps Georgetown could learn something about fees.

The following is an article from the current Caribbean Compass. For the last several years St Maarteb (the Dutch side) has seen a dramitic decrease in cruisers.

St. Maarten Yacht Fees to Be Reduced
The St. Maarten Marines Trades Association (SMMTA) is pleased to announce that
soon there will be a change to the Bridge and Mooring Fee structure for vessels in
the eight- to 18-metre (26- to 59-foot) category. Effective January 1st, 2011, the fees
for these vessels will be changed as follows:
• There will be a 30-percent reduction in bridge fee rates; and
• There will be two free weeks’ Harbour Fees given out of every eight consecutive
weeks spent in St. Maarten (i.e. pay for six weeks and stay for eight).
Bridge Fees are currently US$10 for boats from nine to 12 metres in length, and
US$30 for boats for boats from 12 to 15 metres in length. Harbour Fees are US$20 per
week for vessels eight to 13 metres in length, and US$40 per week for vessels 13 to 18
metres in length.
Representatives of the SMMTA have been concerned for some time now about
the high fees implemented by the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation
(SLAC) on January 1st, 2008, prior to St. Maarten Harbour Group assuming its management.
The SMMTA’s concern was the rapid and almost devastating decline in
arrivals and stays for yachts in the eight- to 18-metre class. The SMMTA membership
at large had reported major declines in business activities relating to this category of

yacht. Mark Mingo, Chief Executive Officer of The St. Maarten

[speciald@ocens.]

Many of the boats are still in the lagoon but they are on the french side where there is no anchoring fee. We clear in on the French side and keep the boat in Captain Oliver's Marina. No one is sure if the slips are on the French or Dutch side.

[barnakiel]

THX for the post. Might be there this winter.

b.

[fishwife]

Thanks for the information I wonder if a nice mod who happens on this thread could increase the size of the font. This old woman had to go looking for her specs

P.

[dacust]

Originally Posted by fishwife

Thanks for the information I wonder if a nice mod who happens on this thread could increase the size of the font. This old woman had to go looking for her specs

P.

Hint: Hold down the Ctrl key and use the + and - keys to increase or decrease the font size. If you have a scroll wheel on your mouse, hold down the Ctrl key and scroll. Both methods work in both IE and Firefox.

-dan

[John A]

Originally Posted by fishwife

Thanks for the information I wonder if a nice mod who happens on this thread could increase the size of the font. This old woman had to go looking for her specs

P.

Sorry for the font as it was a direct cut and paste from the source. I should have taken it to Word and made it more readable before doing a second cut and paste to CF.
Live and learn

[ArmyChief]

You should send that article & link to the Georgetown chamber and the govenors office !!

[John A]

Originally Posted by ArmyChief

You should send that article & link to the Georgetown chamber and the govenors office !!

For you that are new to the cruising scene in the Eastern Caribbean, may I direct your attention to a publication that is printed the first of every month, from Bequia, and delivered throughout the islands.
It's recommended reading by all who travel in the islands.
You can download the current copy from the following website, I use the PDF option.
Enjoy


Caribbean Compass - Caribbean Yachting and Boating News Magazine

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by John A

St. Maarten Yacht Fees to Be Reduced

Bridge Fees are currently US$10 for boats from nine to 12 metres in length, and
US$30 for boats for boats from 12 to 15 metres in length. Harbour Fees are US$20 per
week for vessels eight to 13 metres in length,

GOOD!!!!!!!

because the French bridge is free and the line in the Lagoon marking the border ebtween the 2 countries is the funnist thing I've ever seen... as if someone painted a big white line in the water: on one side no boats.... on the other side PACKED!

[ArmyChief]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

... as if someone painted a big white line in the water: on one side no boats.... on the other side PACKED!

So what your saying it looks like a Monday Night Football - John Madden play explaination?

[ArmyChief]

Originally Posted by John A

For you that are new to the cruising scene in the Eastern Caribbean, may I direct your attention to a publication that is printed the first of every month, from Bequia, and delivered throughout the islands.
It's recommended reading by all who travel in the islands.
You can download the current copy from the following website, I use the PDF option.
Enjoy


Caribbean Compass - Caribbean Yachting and Boating News Magazine

John,

Thanks for the link, I have it saved in my favorites.

[John A]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

GOOD!!!!!!!

because the French bridge is free and the line in the Lagoon marking the border ebtween the 2 countries is the funnist thing I've ever seen... as if someone painted a big white line in the water: on one side no boats.... on the other side PACKED!

Very true and there is always a convoy of boats from and to the bridge on the Dutch side to the anchorages on the French side. Nothing has been said about eliminating the bridge fee for those who anchor in the Simpson Bay and never use the bridge.
Fees are charged on the French side to anchor in the Marigot Bay outside of the Lagoon.
Checking in on the Dutch side has always been a pain as they still use carbon paper and one person handles Customs and Immigration and one person handles the bridge fees. When an agent is in front of you with twenty passports from a megayacht, it takes awhile. The French side is computerized.

The Neatherland Antilles has been elimated.

[speciald@ocens.]

The bridge fees on the Dutch side were originally to pay for a part needed to repair the bridge. Like all government fees, it was easier to impose than repeal. Another example of unintended consequences. Another example, Florida recently got smart by maximizing the sales tax on boats. They realized that they were loosing millions in income by discouraging the megayachts to use Florida marine facilities and hurting the Florida marine industry.

[Springbok]

Some of us need a visa to enter and check-in on the French side which is probably more expensives than the adjusted fees with no visa needed on the Antillean side.
Clyde

[GordMay]

I wonder how Sint Maarten’s new “Country” status (October 10, 2010) might affect future fees and regulations on the Dutch side.