Dawn II.
SABA–The Caribbean Netherlands Healthcare Insurance Office (Zorgverzekeringskantoor Caribisch Nederland ZVK) Has made several provisions in connection with the imminent closure of Saba’s Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport for the renovation of the airstrip in the period from September 10 to October 9, to ensure the continuity of medical referrals abroad and emergency evacuations.
It has been agreed with the referring doctors in Saba that in principle all non-emergency medical referrals to Dutch St. Maarten/French St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Colombia or the Netherlands will be scheduled and executed either before or after the closure of the airport.
In cases where medical referrals abroad prove to be necessary in this period, it has been agreed with the referring doctors that these will be executed by ferry.
In relation thereto, ZVK has made contractual arrangements with Saba Sea Transport for daily transportation between Saba and St. Maarten with the ferries Dawn II and Big B.
Insured persons who wish to travel with the ferry The Edge, may claim reimbursement of the cost incurred from ZVK on return to Saba.
The schedules of the three ferries are as follows: Dawn II departs Saba for St. Maarten every morning at 8:30 and returns from St. Maarten to Saba daily at 4:30pm.
Big B sails from St. Maarten to Saba on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:45am, and sails from Saba to St. Maarten on those same days at 4:00pm.
The Edge departs from St. Maarten to Saba on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:00am, and returns from Saba to St. Maarten on those same days at 3:30pm.
As for emergency evacuations, helicopter will remain on standby during the period of the airstrip closure. Special provisions have been made for this purpose in relation thereto in collaboration with the Public Entity Saba, including designation of a special landing site at the airport.
Additionally, ZVK recently recruited a second crew member for the helicopters stationed in St. Eustatius, to assure the availability of an aircraft for any emergency in Saba.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/80145-zvk-makes-provisions-for-saba-airport-closure
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