St Martin - Profile

Reported by Joan Conover, SY Growl Tiger:
Just heard from a vet in St. Martin. Dogs there (pets) and such have distemper at epidemic levels, so warnings are going to be issued. Pretty deadly, other islands are concerned it will spread to their pets as well. Prevention means a NEW vaccination..even if your dog is current, prior to entering the country...or leaving it. Leaving, dogs should be vaccinated weeks before they leave and carefully examined by the government vet before any export. Concerning is also the number of visitors who do not report their pets entry or exit; disease issues like this can make customs rules change significantly.

This epidemic is similar to what happened in Bahamas two years or so ago..and now Nassau is permanently affected with parvo/distemper. So, cruisers need to be very aware. It now part of the environment there.

We did not go to St. Martin due to this issue, and our dogs are never allowed off the boat in foreign islands! We stay away from dogs etc. on land, wash hands and SHOES when going back on board our vessel. Good idea anyhow in a hurricane disaster area...!!!

5th Jan 2018. Anchored in Grand Case bay (French- North West). Big wide bay - shallow - all sand - perfect for anchoring - lots of room. The village is battered, with hardly an intact roof. However, there is a small chance jetty, where 4 bar/restaurants are operating. There are a couple of ships close by for basics. Atmosphere is good, locals kind of upbeat, definitely friendly. Good stop over for a couple of days.

Update via SV Totem:
Current facilities for visiting yachts in SMX have been hard to pin down. The reports coming out after the hurricane were pretty awful. But in some ways, SXM is better situated for recovery than many islands: their utilities are largely underground, so easier to bounce back with fewer repairs. What’s not clear is what’s on the bottom of the lagoon and when it will be safe for anchoring. But friends in SXM visiting their boat this week (which survived!) say that whilst the lagoon may not have boats anchored out, there are plenty of dinghies zipping around. Dinghy docks are opening up at Dinghy Dock restaurant, Simpson Bay Marina, Shrimpy’s, and even Marina Port Royale (although probably care required near the marina). Chandleries and grocery stores and shops are open, as are quite a few bars & restaurants.

An update from Island Global Yachting (IGY):

In the wake of Hurricane Irma and Maria, the IGY Yacht Club at Isle de Sol and IGY Simpson Bay Marina, are currently under repair.
As of September 19th, 2017, the airport in St. Maarten was not open to commercial carriers, however, was accepting private aircraft and humanitarian relief flights.
St. Maarten has several hotels that remain open, however due to the airport being closed, are currently being used as relief centers.
Several banks are open and welcoming customers with some having cash withdrawal limits in place.
All IGY Caribbean marinas will be partially operational for the the upcoming 2017/18 Winter Season and are expected to include crew amenities such as; the gymnasium, swimming pool, and food and beverage outlets within our facilities gated locations.

Here is the link to a practical guide to Saint Martin I wrote on my blog.
http://www.altitudezero.org/2016/05/petit-guide-pratique-de-saint-martin-pour-le-plaisancier/

I'm trying to get into Bobbys marina in Great bay. But my boat is restricted by a 3.8 m (12,5 ft) draft. Does anyone have a detailed chart available mapping the channels recently updated. Cheers, SY CANNONBALL

Posted on behalf of Christian Kleitsch - 26 October, 2016
Just came back from a sailing trip from/to St. Martin (Marigot). The fees for the clearance in Marina Port la Royale are something between 7-8 Euro.
Very important! You have to clear out even if you sail to St. Barths (and then further)! Otherwise you cannot clear in, when you come back to St. Martin.

Clearing in at St. Martin (French side)
The French authorities have given Island Water World in Marigot - next to the Tourism Office - the official program to clear in.
They have a Dinghy pier in the lagoon, right next to Geminga Boatyard and adjacent to the Marina Port La Royale.
Opening Times in season: Monday to Saturday 8.00am-5.00pm

Good information from Ken Goodings - Caribbean Navigator Facebook Page:
Another daylight dinghy theft in St Martin, French side. Chain used was 3/16 inch stainless, that's less than a quarter inch or just under 6 mm. Please consider using SS chain at least 8-10 mm or 5/16 - 1/2 inch. Heavier SS chain is perhaps just plain less prone to quickie thefts, especially in daylight with people around.

It has been reported to noonsite that on the Security section of the St. Martin Cruisers Net this morning, a boat reported being boarded by 3 people with French accents this morning about 3:30am.
They are anchored in Marigot Bay near the channel to the lagoon.
The men who boarded stole electronics and threatened the boat owners. They came to the boat in a hard dinghy and had trouble starting the motor (without a cover) when they left.

Posted on behalf of Lisa Torkelson - 4 January 2016:
I just checked in today at the Marina Port La Royale's Capitanerie. Unlike Noonsite's Nov 2015 update, there still is a working Customs computer and I used it today as in the past. The change is that only marina guests and those anchored just beyond the mooring balls can check in there (choose 'LAGON de Marigot' on the clearance port). Anchoring near Cadisco is in this zone, but it wasn't clear how far this extends. Fee is 7.80 Euros. Otherwise, you're supposed to go to the ferry terminal (where the fees are higher I understand). I don't know if Ft Louis' jurisdiction covers Marigot Bay or other areas, but they charged us $20 to leave a couple years ago.
The confirmed hours of Port La Royale's Capitanerie are 8:30am - 12:30pm, 2:30pm - 5:30pm.

The fee for entering through the Dutch side bridge depends on length.
12 meters or less is $7 US.
The costs go up if you are larger.
Every week you stay on the Dutch side costs $20 US.
Dutch C/I is at the Bridge and you actually see 2 people (not 3).

It costs 5 Euros each day to anchor in Marigot Bay on the French Side with an initial charge of 20 Euros when you first arrive, if you anchor in Marigot Bay. There is no charge for anchoring anywhere else on the French Side, either outside or inside the Lagoon.

The channel from the French side bridge has shifted because of hurricane Gonzolo and varies because the marks are also missing. It is best to enter through the Dutch side bridge and then go through the new Causeway bridge to the French Side. There is no charge for the French Side bridge.

Most people come in the Dutch Side and then decide either to anchor or just proceed to the French Side and check in, once in the lagoon. Or you can just anchor in Marigot Bay with lots of room (because of the daily charge).

We left Sint Maarten/St. Martin 3 days ago so this information is current.

The morning opening time for the Sandy Ground Bridge (French side entrance to lagoon) has been changed from 0815 to 0900. There is no monitoring of any VHF channel by this bridge. Best bet to verify times is to hail Shrimpys (morning net controller) on channel 10.

Jan. 17, 2014 - French bridge currently experiencing problems and appears to not be opening (our friends had to go out the other bridge yesterday). Dutch Bridge has new times not shown in cruising guides and most web sites. New times effective Nov 15 are posted here www.smyc.com/content/new-simpson-bay-causeway-bridge-opening-hours (these match what the Dutch bridge authority gave us last week).
SY Day Dreamer