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’s 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…!!!

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.

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/

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.

Good information from Ken Goodings – Caribbean Navigator Facebook Page:
Another daylight dinghy theft in St Martin, French side. The chain used was 3/16 inch stainless, that’s less than a quarter inch or just under 6 mm. Please consider using the 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 the daylight with people around.

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. The 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 of years ago.

The confirmed hours of Port La Royale’s Capitanerie are 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm.

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