ST-MARTIN - réduction des coûts...

Ci-dessous une copie de l'article paru dans la revue COMPASS qui pourrait intéresser les navigateurs

St. Maarten Yacht Fees to Be Reduced

The St. Maarten Marines Trades Association (SMMTA) is pleased to announce that
soon there will be a change to the Bridge and Mooring Fee structure for vessels in
the eight- to 18-metre (26- to 59-foot) category. Effective January 1st, 2011, the fees for these vessels will be changed as follows:

• There will be a 30-percent reduction in bridge fee rates; and

• There will be two free weeks’ Harbour Fees given out of every eight consecutive
weeks spent in St. Maarten (i.e. pay for six weeks and stay for eight).

Bridge Fees are currently US$10 for boats from nine to 12 metres in length, and
US$30 for boats for boats from 12 to 15 metres in length. Harbour Fees are US$20 per
week for vessels eight to 13 metres in length, and US$40 per week for vessels 13 to 18 metres in length.

Representatives of the SMMTA have been concerned for some time now about
the high fees implemented by the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation
(SLAC) on January 1st, 2008, prior to St. Maarten Harbour Group assuming its management.

The SMMTA’s concern was the rapid and almost devastating decline in
arrivals and stays for yachts in the eight- to 18-metre class. The SMMTA membership
at large had reported major declines in business activities relating to this category of yacht. Mark Mingo, Chief Executive Officer of The St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies, stated in December of last year, when SLAC was moved to St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies, that yacht fees and the financial management of
SLAC and its assets were top priorities and would be addressed within the year.

Through research and analysis provided by MMC Consulting Services and in conjunction
with the Harbour Group of Companies management and administration group, they were able to verify that this category of vessel was, in fact, the most adversely affected by the sudden increase in fees and has experienced a drop of more than 50 percent in arrivals since 2008. It was for this reason that the SMMTA Board along with The St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies felt it was so important to tackle the fees for this group first.

The SMMTA would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Mingo and his management
team, along with Jeff Boyd, Managing Director of MMC Consulting Services.
Their cooperation and understanding throughout these past months of discussions has
culminated in a final and successful meeting, which took place on September 15th.
SMMTA would also like to note that in the months that SLAC has been in the fold of
the Harbour Group of Companies, noticeable changes have been made.

Bridge tender staff are more professional, courteous and accessible; and the appointment of Eddy Johnson as the Maritime Department Head for Simpson Bay and the
Lagoon as well as Great Bay has made a dramatic difference. Most recently, post-
Hurricane Earl, safety and compensation issues were addressed immediately.
Wrecks and abandoned yachts have been removed and noticeable improvements
have been made to the channel-marking system in the Lagoon and in the ports
and waterways of St. Maarten.

The SMMTA Board supports a continuation of this successful dialogue with The
Harbour Group of Companies about the growth and health of St. Maarten’s marine
sector and ways that both organizations can work together to rebuild it.


For more information contact info@smmta.com or visit www.smmta.com.