04 January 2009 | Grand Case, St. Martin
CURRENT LOCATION: Anchored in Baie de Grand Case between the town dock and Rocher Créole
18 06.408' N, 063 03.346' W
A sense of panic has stricken the cruising community in St. Martin. The French authorities have instituted a daily fee for anchoring. There has been a fee in place on the Dutch side for some time now, and that is the main reason we (and many others) chose to base ourselves on the French side of the island. This new fee came without warning and has surprised us all.
The first report came yesterday on the morning cruisers' radio net. A boat was told, upon clearing in, that they would be charged a fee each day they spent at anchor in St. Martin. The fee is based on the length of the boat, and Sheryl and I did some quick calculations and arrived at the estimate that we would be looking at about $5 per day for the privilege of putting down our own ground tackle (and, by comparison, we are a relatively small boat). This is the first time we have encountered such a fee. Not good news.
The cruising community, at large, is not taking it well. Rumors abound regarding the
exact nature of the fees. Some say it is only applicable to Marigot Bay, others indicate any anchorage on the French side is subject to the charge. A couple who arrived before Christmas, like us, left recently and were hit with the fees upon departure, based on the day they took effect (January 1st). So, if that account is true and predictive, we may be saved the cost of our first 13 days in this country; however, every day in the New Year will add up, and add up quickly.
Initially, we had planned to hang out in St. Martin until we get our boat documentation renewed and mailed down to us (sometime in February). Now, we may decide to change those plans. The jury is still out on that decision. First, though, we have a few more anchorages to visit before we can consider our time in St. Martin complete.
Meanwhile, we are sure that the details for this new fee structure will continue to be a major topic of discussion, and we will try to glean whatever bits of 'truth' we can from them. In reality, though, accurate information may be hard to come by, because when these types of new policies are handed down often the officials responsible for enforcing them are given less than clear instructions and are trying to interpret the rules in the best way that they are able. Fellow cruisers planning to visit St. Martin, stay tuned for updates.