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Port Operations Back to Normal

(Tuesday, October 12, 2010) - Port operations were hampered last week due to the passing of a Low Pressure Weather System which later became Tropical Storm Otto over 200 miles North of Puerto Rico.

For almost a week sea swells impacted the islands coastlines as well as harbour facilities leaving the cruise and cargo piers empty. There weren't any damage to the cargo and cruise piers.

As the seas slowly subsided, the first cargo vessel to come into port was the Tropic Palm on October 9 followed by Cap Canaille and Dover Straight.

Last week due to the weather (sea conditions), the Liberty of the Seas, Celebrity Solstice and Carnival Victory canceled their ports of call. On Tuesday, October 12, 2010 the first cruise ship, Norwegian Epic called at the Port of Sint Maarten.

This is the maritime flag protocol on how the country flag must be displayed on board of a vessel:

For locally registered vessels:

1. The national flag being the red, white and blue, with the St. Maarten Arms in the white triangle.

2. The national flag needs to fly off a flagpole on the stern or ("schooner main") Masthead .

3. It is to be the largest flag (or of equal size) flying and no foreign (national) flag shall fly over it and/or be strung on the same halyard, or pole. No foreign flag shall fly directly under it because it signifies dominance.

4. The national flag will be struck at sunset and raised at dawn. It may remain struck if you are at the marina or at anchor during bad weather.

5. The flag will be well kept and in good repair. The flag has to be in the correct proportion to your vessel.

6. If you wish to fly owners colours, bungees, etc and signals, they are to be displayed in the foremast shrouds on the correct sides. See IMO International Code of Signals

For foreign registered vessels:

1. Courtesy flag will be the St. Maarten flag.

2. The flag will be well kept and in good repair. The flag has to be in the correct proportion to the vessel.

3. Flag to be flown in accordance with international protocol and IMO International Code of Signals.( generally right side forward mast or aft right side main mast)


Sint Maarten becomes autonomous country

Monday, October 11, 2010 - On Sunday, October 10, 2010, the Island Territory of Sint Maarten officially became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The former country Netherlands Antilles, which Sint Maarten was one of five island territories ceased to exist at midnight on Saturday, October 9, 2010. Sint Maarten was part of the Netherlands Antilles for over 50-years.

A referendum on June 23, 2000 led to the people of the island to support the option of becoming an autonomous country within the Dutch Kingdom. The negotiation process started thereafter and took more than 10-years to complete.

Sint Maarten's new constitutional structure now comprises of a Governor General as Head of State, a Prime Minister as head of Government, the Council of Ministers and the Parliament.

Changes at the Port of Sint Maarten?

Due to the constitutional change at the political level, there are no changes at the Port of Sint Maarten or with the Harbour Group of Companies and subsidiaries. All activities and processes remain the same guided by the principles of good corporate governance.


Bridge and Mooring Fees to drop by 30%

Two free-week rebates offered for every eight consecutive weeks

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 - As of January 1, 2011, new bridge and mooring fees for vessels in the eight to 18-metre category will be introduced by the Sint Maarten Harbour Group of Companies which now manages the Simpson Bay Bridge and lagoon waters.

Fees for that aforementioned group will be reduced by 30 per cent along with a rebate of two free weeks out of every eight consecutive weeks spent in Sint Maarten - pay for six, stay for eight.

Cruise and Cargo vessels kept at sea due to high swells

Monday, September 20, 2010 - Cruise ships Serenade of the Seas and Carnival Valor that were tentatively scheduled to call at the Port of Sint Maarten on Saturday, September 18, remained at sea due to rough seas that would not have permitted safe docking and disembarkation of cruise passengers and crew.

Cargo vessels were also not able to dock due to the high sea swells.

The rough seas were caused by Hurricane Igor. Today, sea conditions have considerably abated and normal port operations have resumed.

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