A spate of burglaries and thefts from yachts moored in the Simpson Bay Lagoon on both the Sint Maarten (Netherlands) and Saint Martin (France) sides, have prompted authorities to take action and cruisers to set up both emergency and discussion groups to assist each other.

Published 6 days ago

Seven Incidents in One Week

The Caribbean Safety and Security Network (CSSN) confirm they have received seven reports involving vessels anchored or moored in the Simpson Bay Lagoon and Marigot Bay areas of the island in a little over two weeks, including two incidents involving the same catamaran.

On the evening of December 8, 2024, a catamaran in the Dutch lagoon that experienced a boarding two days prior, was boarded a second time and burgled between 1630-1930HRS. The thieves came prepared with tools and broke in through the locked doorway.

In response to this spate of dinghy thefts and yacht break-ins in the Simpson Bay Lagoon, the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association issued a statement.

“We want to address these incidents with transparency and assure (you) that St. Maarten remains a welcoming and safe destination for all boats, ” the statement said.

“Thanks to swift and co-ordinated efforts, significant progress has been made in addressing the situation. A suspect apprehended at one of the marinas has provided valuable information that has led to the recovery of several stolen dinghies and has shed light on a broader group involved in these activities. We are working closely with a dedicated task force comprising detectives police officers, Port de Plaisance security personnel and maritime affairs representations.  The Gendarmes have also been informed to ensure cross-border cooperation in tackling these crimes.”

Details of all the incidents can be found at https://safetyandsecuritynet.org/.

Cruisers Banding Together

Cruisers in the Simpson Bay Lagoon and other bays nearby are banding together and forming Facebook/WhatsApp Groups to support each other and try and deter would-be thieves.

“With last week’s huge spike in thefts, everybody afloat (in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin) is now on higher alert”, said one Facebook post, which stated that two WhatsApp groups were running to help safety in the Lagoon and outside bays.  According to the post, these groups are:

• Lagoon emergency group: only for current immediate emergencies or pressing safety issues. Many business owners in the local marine industry are members.
• Lagoon discussion group (new):  where important safety can be discussed, as to not clutter the emergency group.

Anyone interested in joining these groups should search for Saint Martin / Sint Maarten Cruisers & Boaters (SXM) Facebook group and read the group’s description carefully after joining.

Town Hall Meeting Planned

According to the latest statement from SMMTA, the organisation says they are actively working with authorities to address the recent thefts in Simpson Bay Lagoon. Patrols have increased and a unified response is being developed. A town hall meeting is planned for cruisers and stakeholders to share concerns and hear updates.

The full statement is provided below:

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CSSN NOTE:  If you are a victim, please take five minutes to complete the CSSN online incident report, it’s quick, confidential and keeps our cruising community fully and factually informed.

You can utilize the CSSN Zoom-Tap Know and Go maps to view incidents by location, or the By Country feature on the CSSN Home page to review all incidents by country.

Subscribe to (free) CSSN email ALERTS! and get every report delivered to your email inbox on whatever schedule best suits your preferences

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Related News:

• Sint Maarten – Saint Martin:  Thieves Active on Both Sides of Simpson Bay Lagoon
• Caribbean Safety and Security Net Annual Report 2023 – Reported Yacht Crime in the Caribbean

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Related Links:

• Caribbean Safety and Security Network
• Sint Maarten Maritime Trades Association