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St Barth's and St. Maarten info needed

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by FL-NATIVE, Aug 22, 2017.

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  1. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    It has been over 20 years since I have taken a boat to the Caribbean and in need of current information. Boat is 108' x 24' x 7.5' draft. Need 1 x 100 amp 3 phase power.

    Concerning St. Maarten:
    1 - Dockage needed with an on-site or very nearby hotel. Is Port de Plaisance still an option? Any other?

    Concerning St. Barth's:
    1 - Looking for Port de Gustavia docking for New Years time period. Repeated emails and calls this month to the port office has yielded no response. Are they closed this time of year? Anyone have any connections or advice? Is a New Years Eve request laughable?
    2 - If cannot stern to the wharf, what is the next closest/best choice these days?

    Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2017
  2. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    In St. Maarten, we've docked at Simpson Bay. There's also their sister marina, Yacht Club at Isle del Sol. Port de Plaisance is still an option, just hasn't been our choice.

    For St. Barth's, Port de Gustavia is the only choice and we have docked there. No connections. I assume you're using the contacts from this page?

    http://www.portdegustavia.fr/port-plaisance-gustavia/contacts-port-plaisance

    Have you used the form or emailed other departments like Accounting just to try to find out how to reach them?

    It may be they found New Years Even laughable if you mentioned it in your contact, but I wouldn't know if it is or not. There are several anchorages in the area but no idea how crowded they will be.
  3. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    99.99% of marinas can provide these electrical requirements throughout the Caribbean.

    As for New Years? Good luck! Many are pre-booked years ahead, but there are cancellations close to the date, you have to play it by ear.
  4. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    St-Barths, in practice is a first come first serve marina. If you want to be there for New years you need to be on the dock before the Antigua boat show ends. After that, it will be full, and the only spots will be those that have made prior arrangements ($$$$$$$$$$). You might want to get in touch with one of the agents in SXM, I have used Earl at Seagrapes in past, to help with arrangements.

    If you can not go stern to, forget about SBH! They will not even entertain putting you alongside. Tieing up in the port is problematic, the surge can get quite bad and the holding is marginal. If you are going to the Carib, might want to invest in one of the folding passerelles.
    If you do not have two anchors, be sure to get a portable one. I have found a big fortress comes in quite handy to use in anchorages where the swell is rolling in to use as a stern anchor.

    If you don't mind paying, almost anything is possible!
  5. captaintilt

    captaintilt Senior Member

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    Give BWA Yachting a call at Simpson Bay Marina. Lucille has helped me out of a few pinches before with last minute provisioning and fueling, crew travel, etc. They are really good and are on-site and may be able to give you a heads up about St. Barths.
  6. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Thank you all. Now I know why I am not receiving any replies! If anybody else has more info please reply.
  7. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Thank you olderboater, you are always full of knowledge, nice to hear from you. I sent the email to two of the addresses in the link you sent, will try the others.
  8. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    As I suspected, thanks.
  9. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Ouch, that means arriving this year by Dec 8! And still no guarantee, oh boy. I guess it is time to inform the owner of the bad news. Will check with Earl.
  10. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Thanks and will contact BWA.
  11. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    There is also marina fort Louis over on the French side that is a fairly nice marina.
  12. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Thank you Capt. J
  13. 101TUG

    101TUG Senior Member

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    Hello,

    We based at port de Gustavia since 10 years and living in ST Barth since 22 years.
    We long side at this time, rest of the year at inside mooring.
    New year are totally crazy period and difficult to have place at dock, they take no reservation, they have standby list and you need to come weeks before to be at dock.
    No electrical power at dock.
    a lot of yacht stay at mooring for new year event (around 100 outside of harbor)
    If you need assistance don't hesitated to contact me I know every employer at harbor and have all connection for yacht need.

    Regards

    Hugues

    [​IMG]
  14. 101TUG

    101TUG Senior Member

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    and don't need to enter by the bridge, that my preferred one in SXM.
  15. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    As I write this I am sorry to see Irma bearing down on you. The best of luck to you, but I suspect you are fully prepared and already where you need to be.
    One question about St. Barth's when you have time to reply: Black water (sewage) pump out - what is Port Gustavia's policy? We do not have a treatment plant. Do they allow discharge, or overlook it, and do they offer shoreside pump-out?
  16. 101TUG

    101TUG Senior Member

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    Huge one, I'm down in St Lucia that normally going to be good here.

    About sceptique in ST Barth, no shoreside pump, you normally need to go out but they don't want to know...
  17. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Thanks so much, what are your conditions at this moment?
  18. 101TUG

    101TUG Senior Member

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    for now all good that beginning tomorrow mooring
  19. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    I think the Leeward Islands will get away with just a storm. The Virgin Islands and PR may take a harder hit. Just spoke to family in Antigua, they seem pretty prepared and well set.

    Stay safe Hugues.
  20. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Hugues: I hope you survived the two Hurricanes with little or no damage, how are you?
    Have you made contact with port de Gustavia? Will you be able to return? I just received photos, the harbor area was quite flooded. See photos.

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