PORT ST. MAARTEN – The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority, a company of Port St. Maarten, is assisting with the removal of a boat wreck along the shoreline of the Simpson Bay Beach near Karakter Beach Bar & Restaurant.
Ministry Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) requested the assistance of the Lagoon Authority.
An excavator has been contracted to see what sections of the wreckage can be removed. An assessment was carried out on Thursday morning by representatives of the Lagoon Authority with respect to the wreckage.
A diver was used to direct the works of the excavator which was operating from the beach. Some small debris has been removed, but the wreckage measures approximately 120 feet and large sections of it remain under the sand in the water.
The Lagoon Authority will discuss further with stakeholders with respect to the removal of the heavier pieces. One of the proposals is to drag those larger sections (if possible) out into the bay where they would become a natural reef and a fish and coral habitat.
The beaches are an essential part of the destinations product, and any hazards that pose a threat must be dealt with.
According to the Nature Foundation, the boat wreckage is the former Golden Fleece, a yacht that broke anchor in Simpson Bay several years ago.
A number of complaints were made about swimmers getting j* the underwater wreckage while swimming in the area. The foundation placed a buoy marker warning swimmers about the underwater danger and to refrain from swimming in that particular area.
PHOTO CUTLINE: The excavator on Thursday morning on Simpson Bay Beach attempting to remove parts of the boat wreck.
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About Port St. Maarten
Port St. Maarten comprises of 13 companies responsible for most of the country’s maritime activities. The operations at Port St. Maarten can be summarized into four pillars of Cruise, Cargo, Yachting and Real Estate. The Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities catered to over 2 million cruise passengers in 2014, and has since 2010 been receiving more than 1.5 million annually. The cargo facilities have led to a steady growth in containerized business making the island a hub for the North Eastern Caribbean where it concerns transshipment services. The port caters to the Giga yachts and vessels providing berthing and fueling services to this sector. Port St. Maarten also owns and manages a wide range of commercial real estate across the country.
Port St. Maarten is a modern, well equipped and secure port facilitythat is operated and managed by a dedicated professional staff. Visit our website for further
informationwww.portstmaarten.com or call +1 721 542-8503 or 8504, email:bu**@po*************.sx