St Maarten Marine Trades Association launches new post-hurricanes website

The St Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) has launched a new website to inform superyacht market stakeholders about the realities of travelling in the Caribbean following the devastation caused by hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria earlier in the year.

The newly launched website will provide up-to-date information on the impact the hurricanes had and the on-going recovery efforts taking place around the Caribbean. Some islands escaped completely unscathed, but for many a period of rebuilding is required after significant damage was inflicted by the inclement weather.

With yacht owners, charter guests, charter brokers, captains and managers currently finalising their itineraries for the winter season, the SMMTA hopes the website will be a valuable resource in providing verified condition reports on everything from airports, marinas and port openings to the transport of goods, yacht services and hotels.

The website will communicate exactly what is open and available around the islands, as well as what services and facilities are closed.

Norina Edelman, managing director of FKG Yacht Rigging & Marine Fabricating, explained, “Our goal is to provide a realistic picture to industry stakeholders so each person can make the decision that is right for them. I don’t want to convince a charter guest to pass through St Maarten under the proviso that there is no destruction, because that is just not the case.

“However, if a charter guest is happy to go anchor, let’s say in St Maarten, and then head out to St Bart’s, which is something that we often saw, then it is not a problem,” she added.

SMMTA has requested status reports from colleagues on every island and will post new informaiton online as soon as it is received. Evolving progress will be updated on a weekly basis.

For more information, visit Caribbean Yachting Update.