Sint Maarten: Covid19 Field Report

We checked into Dutch Sint Maarten on the afternoon of March 17th. Nothing was said at Customs/Immigration/Port Control about closing for yachts. I asked how long we were allowed to stay and they said 3 months or possibly more. We had heard that French Islands were going to close which swayed the decision, also the wind was more from the north last week so the Dutch side was more sheltered.

On the 18th, we went to Port office for Sint Maarten to pay our dues for the bridge. They were still checking in some boats but she said they were Dutch Nationals or locals. They also closed the office 90 mins early.

The situation here is complicated due to there being slightly different restrictions on the Dutch and French sides of the island. It is also difficult to find accurate information as the phone and mobile internet system is struggling and there is a lot of rumour, censure and speculation being posted. We are grateful to Mike from Shrimpys radio net (07.30 Channel 10) for the voice of reason.

The Dutch side is now definitely closed to all, and Customs have shut their office. The French side may be open for people with EU passports to check in, but I wouldn’t try sailing here without checking with the authorities.

The “lock down” is more severe on the French side as it is the same as France, you can only leave your abode for 1 hour and travel 1 km per day, only for essentials such as grocery shopping or getting medical supplies and you have to carry a special form correctly filled out and your ID. And the Gendarmes are checking. There is food in the shops, even toilet roll, and you can get cooking gas fuel and water.

Since we arrived a week ago there has been very little vessel movement in or out of the lagoon. It’s mostly been huge Super yachts that have gone in or out plus a few local yachts. Of course going in or out of the lagoon does not necessarily mean arriving to or leaving the country. The Dutch Bridge is operating, I saw it open this morning, but the French bridge is out of service (broken) anyway. The Customs boat goes about the anchorage occasionally, presumably checking up who is where, and they were stopping anyone who is not checked in on the Dutch side from entering the lagoon.

There has been a shooting and robbery at Simpson Bay and another armed robbery at Philipsburg (by the same person or persons), no yacht people were involved. Unfortunately, some robberies from yachts, including unattended charter yachts, on the French side in Marigot Bay have also been reported.

We have been “social distancing”, limiting ourselves to short trips ashore for supplies and complying with instructions. We have a bottle of hand-washing stuff in the dinghy.

A government press release entitled “Prime Minister discontinues vessel bunkering and provisioning in Simpson Bay lagoon due to infringements” was issued yesterday and includes (far down in the document) an item of immediate concern: Crews of vessels in marinas and at anchor are requested to remain on board their vessels for the duration of the travel restrictions. “Shore leave” is prohibited. I hope we may get some clarification soon, but it seems we are to be confined to our boats.

So, we are staying where we are for now. Almost all the Caribbean islands are now closed. Flights from Europe and US were theoretically suspended before we arrived here. Just hoping we can move before the start of the hurricane season.

• Sint Maarten Biosecurity Details
• More COVID-19 Field Reports
•  COVID-19 Coronavirus: Special Procedures Being Introduced in Ports of Entry Worldwide

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Please share your current experience with COVID-19 restrictions and how it has affected your cruising plans. Contact Sue at editor@noonsite.com with your field report.

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.