Focus Placed on Maritime Security of the Marine Industry
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams gave the opening address at the 8th Annual Captain’s Briefing of the US Superyacht Association at the IGY Isle De Sol Yacht Club in Simpson Bay on Wednesday. The Focus of this year’s briefing was on Maritime Security, with various presentations and talks being delivered on Maritime Security and the Maritime Security Council. "This year the US Superyacht Association’s Captain’s Briefing has been given an extra dimension with the presentations being given on the Maritime Security Council and the implications for the safety and security of visiting yachts to our island, something which we as Government take very seriously," commented the Prime Minister.
"For many of you our country is no strange port. It is therefore is good to know that this meeting is hosted on St. Maarten carrying with it the extra dimension of the security of those visiting our shores. It is therefore very important that during this meeting there will be information exchanges and certification opportunities for captains to not only strengthen the island’s economy through using the island’s services for megayachts but also contributing dynamically to the improvement of the services available to the Marine Industry in general and with regards to security more specific," sated the PM
The Prime Minister continued by thanking both the organizers and sponsors for making the event possible. "As the Minister in charge of National Security you can imagine that the safety and security of our yachting and boating industry is high on the National Agenda of this Country. It is also no secret that Tourism is the lifeline of the Country with the Marine and Yachting Industry being one of the most important components of this. That is why this gathering is of so much importance. With this meeting we will better equipped both on a personal as well as on an island wide basis to provide the safety and security necessary for the Industry."
Mr. James Richardson, Director of National Security, also gave a presentation and lecture on Government’s security policies with regards to the Marine Industry and the steps being taken to improve the existing infrastructure.
"I believe that St. Maarten is one of the shining examples in the region for the services being provided to the Yachting and Marine industry and through the partnership between the public and private entities we hope to strengthen and reinforce this," concluded the Prime Minister.