The Sailing in St. Martin

entry requirements in French territorial waters

St. Martin is the smallest island divided into two territories: The French and the Dutch side.

Even if there is no physical border land between the two parties, the entry requirements are different from one side of the island or another. They should be made mandatory, at the entrance and departure.

To enter French territorial waters (12 miles off the coast of St. Martin), the border police (PAF) performs a check of immigration. French immigration rules apply.
The captains of vessels flying the French flag or abroad are required to report to the harbor master before disembarking passengers.
The hurricane season is officially located in the period from July to November. Weather bulletins are regularly published and, in case of hurricane forecasting, early warning is given 72 hours in advance to allow boats to go to reach the ports with hurricane shelter.

Formalities

french side
The formalities are done on the waterfront in Marigot, at the ferry terminal.
Open Monday to Friday from 8h to 17h, Saturdays from 8am to 12pm. Closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Submit passports, original papers of the boat and the previous port clearance.
Tel. 0590 29 67 83

dutch side
Simpson Bay
All boats arriving in Simpson Bay or Simpson Bay Lagoon are required tocomplete entry formalities at the Lagoon Authority Collection Office (in the police building, west of the bridge) on arrival and immediately pay the fees deck, wettingand clearance.
The amount of clearance is $2 for boats up to 99 tonneaux, $5 from 100 to 499 tonneaux and $9 in excess of 500 tonneaux.
A lump sum is received, in addition to the mooring fee: $5 for boats up to 99 tonneaux, $10 from 100 to 499 tonneaux and $20 in excess of 500 tonneaux.
Monday to Friday from 8am to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 17h, Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 to 15:30.
Ability to departure formalities in advance.
Philipsburg
At the entrance to the commercial port.
Monday to Friday from 8am to 12pm and from 13h to 16h30, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to noon.
Ability to departure formalities in advance.

Mooring fee

On the French side, a mooring fee is applied since 1 January 2009, only in Marigot Bay, for the moment. It consists of a lump sum collected for the duration of stay in the bay, and a daily fee, depending on the length of the boat.

Flat fee for the duration of stay in Marigot
8 to 13 meters: 20 €
13 to 18 meters: 30 €
18 to 23 meters: 40 €
From 23 to 28 meters: 50 €
From 28 to 33 meters: 60 €
From 33 to 38 meters: 70 € From 38
43 meters: 100 €
From 43 to 50 meters: 120 €
50 to 75 meters: 130 €
Beyond 75 meters: 150 €

Daily fee in Marigot
• Nonresident sailboats :
0 to 3 days: 0.25 € per meter per day
Beyond 3 days: 0.35 € per meter per day.
• Sailboat living in Saint-Martin (on presentation of proof) :
€ 0.13 per meter per day.

Daily fee in Sint Maarten
On the Dutch side, a fee per week or part week is applied to all boats, even for one day, except for fishing boats and vessels registered locally.
8 to 13 m $ 20
13 to 18m: $ 40
18 to 23m: $ 60
From 23 to 28m: $ 90
28 to 33m:
$ 120 From 33 to 38: $ 150
From 38 to 43m: $ 180
From 43 to 50m: $ 210
50 to 75m: $ 250
Over 75m: $ 290

The lift bridge in Sandy Ground and Simpson Bay

Entry into the Simpson Bay Lagoon is possible by two drawbridges, one on the French side, the other on the Dutch side.
A marked channel of 2.50 meters between the French and the Dutch side of the lagoon. It is better to take the day and at reduced speed.

Sandy Ground Bridge
The bridge is located in Sandy Ground French side, just outside of Marigot toward the Nettle Bay
Monday to Saturday: 8:15 - 2:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The passage is free
Information: 0590 87 20 43 / VHF Channel 16
Width: 10m (30ft)
Depth: 3.50 m to 3.80 m (10.6 ft to 11.5 ft)
Air draft : 2.90 m to 3.30 m (8.7 ft to 10ft)
speed limit: 3 knots

Simpson Bay Bridge
Simpson Bay Bridge is located on the Dutch side
From December to April:
• Opening at 9am, 11am and 16:30 for outgoing vessels
• Open at 9:30, 11:30 and 17:30 for boats Incoming
From May to November:
• Open 7 / 7 at 9:30, 11:30 and 17:30 for all boats.
• The outgoing vessels have priority.
Call "bridge operator "on VHF Channel 12 for permission to enter or exit.
Pay passage
Width: 17m (56ft)
Depth: 5m (17ft)
Air draft: 2.40 m to 2.60 m (8ft to 8.6 ft)
speed limit: 5 knots

Further information on the site Turquoise

Various news

SNSM in Saint Martin
For over 10 years, the National Society of Sea Rescue is present in Saint Martin.
Tel : 0690 767 500
The SNSM

sxm cyclones - cyclonic weather in the northern islands.
Website SXM CYCLONES

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