Update received 7th July 2010

We did stop back in on the way back to the US and went to the NA customs to check in, and they did try to use the wrong conversion from feet to meters.

This time, however, the woman was much nicer, and actually listened and realized she was using the wrong calculation and charged us the correct fees.

She is hopefully using this calculation for every boat that has there documentation in feet.

Herb Caldwell

SV Magic Dragon

Posted 14th February 2010

We have a boat that is 41.9 feet as per our documentation.

The Port Authority for Sint Maarten uses a 3.21 feet per meter calculation. Which is obviously not correct.

We were charged 40 USD instead of 20 USD per week because it put us in the OVER 13 meters bracket.

When I complained, they informed me that I was the only person to complain and only asked me whether or not I wanted to stay in the lagoon or not!

I emailed the Port Authority 3 times with no response.

Just wanted people in 42-foot boats to know.

We will NEVER anchor on the Dutch side again.

Herb Caldwell

SV Magic Dragon