PHILIPSBURG:---- Boats in and around the Simpson Bay Lagoon can now properly dispose of onboard sewage by using the services of the sewage pumpout boat “Slurpy.” The boat is owned by the local foundation Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), which recently completed repairs to damage caused by Hurricane Gonzalo, and is operated by The Business Point, a service company located in Simpson Bay.
According to international law, boaters must be at least 12 nautical miles from land to legally discharge untreated sewage. Slurpy provides boaters in and around the Lagoon a much more convenient, hygienic, and environmentally responsible option.
The boat is designed to serve vessels with storage tanks up to 125 gallons. Waste stored in Slurpy’s sealed tank is securely disposed of in a larger land-based holding tank which is then pumped out by a septic truck and transported to the wastewater treatment facility.
Natalia Collier, President of EPIC, noted “our survey of boaters using Simpson Bay Lagoon showed that pumpout services are expected, particularly among North American and European visitors. A total of 86% of respondents thought the lagoon should be designated a no sewage discharge zone and three-quarters said they would use a mobile pumpout service.”
Hyacinth Joseph, Managing Director of the Business Point, expressed her enthusiasm for the project by saying “We are excited to be a part of this much-needed environmental initiative and are dedicated to ensuring the success of the operation through excellence in customer service.” The boat operator is a licensed captain with many years of experience successfully running charter boats in St. Maarten.
The sewage pumpout boat is part of EPIC’s Love the Lagoon Project, which works to protect and restore the Simpson Bay Lagoon, one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies, a crucial ecosystem, and center of the maritime industry.
The pumpout boat service is made possible through key support from CA Technologies, Island Global Yachting, Princess Port de Plaisance, the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority (part of the Port St. Maarten Group of Companies), St. Maarten Shipyard, and Wired Sailor.
Boaters can schedule an appointment on VHF Channel 10, by phone at 544-3315, or email pumpoutsxm@gmail.com. To learn more about being a pumpout boat sponsor, interested persons are encouraged to contact EPIC at 545-3009 or info@epicislands.org.
Sewage Pumpout Service for Boats Now Available.
