~ But certification, data, promotion pivotal for recovery ~
SIMPSON BAY–What Hurricane Irma did was “truly unprecedented” and the impact on the maritime sector is very visible, says St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) President Robbie Ferron.
Boat wrecks still litter the picturesque Simpson Bay Lagoon almost a year after Hurricane Irma. Docks never damaged in previous hurricanes felt the onslaught of Irma. However, the outlook for the coming yachting season is not bleak, in spite of some 30 per cent of slips and dockage still down.
The percentage is expected to dip lower come November when the annual yachting season starts, to “a marginal 15 per cent. … It will not be a big issue,” said Ferron, a veteran in the field, who anticipates the country will see yacht numbers “close to pre-Irma levels.”
“There is no reason the market will hold us back. We can only hold back ourselves,” he said, pointing to areas where urgent attention is needed to boost and secure the maritime sector in the long term, among which is marketing and promotion to stay ahead of competition.
However, the requests from various classes of boats for certification of the clearance of water lanes in the lagoon are an issue. The lanes are clear and passable, but, “We don’t have anyone to certify this. It was done for the cruise [sector – Ed.],” Ferron said. As a private sector entity, the marine trades association cannot certify the clearance of the lanes.
With the underwater survey of Great Bay, the water lanes coming into Port St. Maarten were checked and certified as cleared of debris and obstruction. This was necessary to jump-start cruise tourism.
The provision of certification has to come from government via its Maritime Department. However, the protocols need to be in place to facilitate the certificates. This must be remedied for now and in the future.
The issue of certification has been raised in the past and was again raised with government after Irma. Aside from getting this system in place, the maritime sector suffers from not having a designated person within government communicating with the sector to learn and meet its needs.
The sector is “just bounced around.” Why this is, is not easily identifiable. “I have only been here some 50 years and I don’t know why,” said Ferron.
Perhaps, this outsider’s treatment of the maritime sector stems from the “unqualified perception” that it is not open to the people of the country.
“There is a perception problem and we have been battling it. … This industry is a peculiar one. People usually start out for recreation and that grows into a passion. They later become professions,” he noted.
This sector has a myriad of “very high-paying jobs,” but somehow it is not attractive. Efforts are made to open up youngsters via sailing classes.
Contrary to common belief, “there is no genetic restriction in West Indian genes for sailing” and the wider maritime sector, said Ferron. Guadeloupe and Martinique are evidence of this where the sector is “strong” and seems to have a lot of participation from the local population.
Antigua, St. Maarten’s closest competitor, also has the maritime sector embedded very strongly in its population. The sector is “much more accepted there. … The locals have a feeling of ownership. There have always been Antiguans in charter yachts and they took on strong leadership positions,” said Ferron.
Perception is by no means the only threat to the sector. The still-high mooring fees on the Dutch side of the lagoon continue to chase boats to the French side where there are little or no fees. There also is no clear indication where the mooring fees go or for what the funds are eventually used. “Whether it goes to SLAC or the harbour, no one knows,” said Ferron.
Even battling the local perception of the sector and acquiring certification are not nearly enough to keep St. Maarten on the radar of the yachting world forever. Marketing is needed to keep filling slips in a more competitive region.
The more worrying perception of the maritime sector is the one the yachting community outside the shores has of the country. St. Maarten’s “inability to communicate that we are ready for business and not down and out” is a challenge. This is the easiest part of the perception to solve, said Ferron, because all it takes is marketing money.
The maritime sector has been doing its part to highlight the readiness to accept yachts and the wider sailing community, although much more effort is required from government.
SMMTA will be at the prestigious Monaco Boat Show where St. Maarten will be the host the party for the super-yacht crew.
“Antigua has five sailing events a year. We have only one,” said Ferron. Next year, this will change when another sailing event – a multi-hull challenge – will be added to the country’s sailing calendar, three weeks ahead of the world-famous St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.
“Rebuilding also means bringing confidence back,” Ferron said.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78920-maritime-sector-expects-pre-irma-levels-by-nov
Perception of St Maarten in the yachting industry is poor. This is due to government over bearing regulations and inactions – particularly the ‘big barge incident’ that Emmanuel instigated. Having the highest fees and poorest navigational maintenance service an example of corruptness and ineptitude in SXM. The insurance companies have done a reasonable job of clearing sunken boats but government needs to step in and ensure safe navigation using the collected fees. I insured my boat for cruising the Caribbean this 2019 winter season with a well known international insurance company. There were restrictions on visiting the sketchiest islands. My coverage does not include three locations – Haiti, Cuba and St Maarten. Even with St Maarten having the best yacht services in the eastern Caribbean. Wake up SXM government!!! You are driving business away.