9PHILIPSBURG:— The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) would like to hereby announce the amicable resolution regarding the vessel M/V Island Scout IMO Number 9215220, which had been earmarked for sale pending settlement of outstanding salvage and removal costs.
The Island Scout, a 69-meter tug/supply ship, was initially beached on Great Bay during the passing of Tropical Storm, later Hurricane Ernesto, and subsequently salvaged and berthed at Port Sint Maarten. Following this, the Ministry of VROMI issued a liability notice to the vessel’s owner in compliance with Articles 12 and 13 of the National Ordinance for the removal of ships and wrecks. The notice stipulated the owner’s responsibility to cover the government’s costs for salvage operations.
An agreement was reached with JWvanStee, a maritime service company contracted to oversee the vessel’s salvage operation from Great Bay and towage to the Port of Sint Maarten. At the Port, an official inspection for a fit-for-tow certificate was performed. The owner of the M/V Island Scout expressed a commitment to pay all costs related to the salvage and towage operation. In the end, and just in time to avoid selling the ship, the owner provided full payment of the expenses, just under $ 70.000.00, one day ahead of the stipulated deadline on Tuesday, October 15th.
Minister Patrice Gumbs confirmed that, upon verification of the payment, the liability notice was officially lifted, returning ownership and control of the vessel to the ship’s owner. Furthermore, Country Sint Maarten authorized the vessel’s removal from its jurisdiction and territory. The Island Scout departed on Saturday, October 19th, 2024, just in time for the 30th Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference and Trade Show.
“Ensuring the responsible handling of vessels within our jurisdiction is critical, particularly as we welcome visitors and partners to our shores,” stated Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs. Together with the Ministry of TEATT, we will be working to regulate the vessels in our water, beginning with increased collaboration in this area and the establishment of a harbor master. We are pleased that, in the end, a cooperative resolution was reached, enabling the Island Scout to be released to the ship’s owner.
For further information, please contact: Ministry of VROMI at minvromi@sintmaartengov.org
or call +1 721 542-4292 ext 2973.
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