St Martin - Profile

• One of the northern Leeward Islands, St Martin is part of the French overseas départment of Guadeloupe, while Sint Maarten, which occupies the southern half of the same island, is Dutch, part of the Netherlands Antilles.
• Both tourism and yachting have developed at a great rate during the last decade.
• Port Lonvilliers marina is the best hurricane hole on the island, being completely enclosed and offering protection from every direction.
• Overall, repair facilities are somewhat better on the Dutch side of the island.
• NOTE: Both sides of the island use the IALA-B (green to port) buoyage system.

February 2014: Multiple crimes against cruisers. See Report.

December 2013: Several anchored yachts were robbed at night while in Simpson Bay. Police admitted this has been an ongoing problem for the last 12 months. See Report.

December 2012: A female skipper was attacked ashore and robbed after checking-in at Marigot Bay.
June 2012: Since May, a great deal of thefts from yachts in Marigot Bay and Marina Fort Louis (mainly electronics, dinghies and outboards).
May 2012: Over 30 dinghies have been reported stolen on the local cruiser's net in Grand Case over the last month, many from boats at anchor during the night along with outboards.
April 2012: There has been a spate of dinghy thefts from the dinghy dock at Marigot Bay.
See reports adjacent.

Dinghy and outboard thefts, plus opportunist theft from yachts, is a common occurrence in St. Martin and appears to be on the increase. Yachts visiting St. Martin should take every available precaution, including good security mechanisms on the dinghy, and possibly consider not being away from the yacht after dark.

Sadly it seems that petty theft and crime against cruisers has also spread ashore. Cruisers should be sure to find out the whereabouts of un-safe neighbourhoods from fellow cruisers beforehand and to not walk ashore alone.

Free Cruising Guides have completed the Caribbean Security Index (CSI) review of 2013 and updated the country ratings. The latest update of the CSI contains new information that may be important to you to “route around crime.”
See this report athttp://www.noonsite.com/General/Piracy/caribbean-crime-caribbean-security-index-csi-review-of-2013

Check the Noonsite Piracy Pages and the Caribbean Safety & Security Net for information on the current island situation.

The Caribbean Safety and Security Net (safetyandsecuritynet@gmail.com) gather information by anchorage or by island, so sailors can plan their cruising in the Caribbean with an eye to appropriate behaviour and precautions wherever they decide to go. Should you have suffered a boarding, robbery or attack on your yacht or have information about a yachting-related security incident, go to the CSSN homepage and click on the "Report an Incident" icon. The associated form is quick and simple to complete and ensures that all the necessary details are reported. The CSSN is the most comprehensive source of Caribbean security incidents against sailors on the net. Remember, it is every cruiser's responsibility to ensure that incidents are reported.

Last updated April 2014.

St Martin Weather Forecast.

For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page.

Anse Marcel * , Marigot Bay * , Oyster Pond *

* indicates port of entry