Have you always wanted to see what a Coast Guard cutter or a Navy ship looks like on the inside? Always wanted to know how they operate and what they stand for? Then visit the Coast Guard Open Day on November 11 at the Cruise Terminal in Point Blanche.
On St. Maarten Day, the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard will also organize an Open Day, the St. Maarten Maritime Day. During this day, ships from the Coast Guard, Royal Netherlands Navy and from our neighbor islands Anguilla and Saint Martin, but also from the United States and the St. Maarten Sea Rescue, will be open for the public. This year as an added attraction, the Coast Guard helicopter will make its first landing on the pier.
HNLMNS Amsterdam and Coast Guard
One of the ships that can be visited is HNLMS Amsterdam (A836). This is the last replenishment ship serving with the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Amsterdam is operating for the Coast Guard in the vicinity of St. Maarten. To conduct the Coastguard tasks, the Amsterdam has a detachment of personnel from the Coast Guard Substation St. Maarten embarked. Together (ship and Coastguard personnel) they patrol the waters around Sint Maarten, Saba and Statia and conduct frequent inspections on shipping towards and from the islands. The helicopter is used for surveillance flights for which the ship, other Coastguard assets or partners can respond.
Regional Cooperation
Besides cooperation with its partners such as police, customs and immigration on St. Maarten, the Coast Guard has good connections with the neighbor countries. For example, the Rescue and Coordination Center (RCC) in Curaçao coordinates on a regular basis Search-and-Rescue actions with its partner RCC in Fort-de-France, Martinique. Several SAR actions have been conducted in good cooperation using both French assets and those of the Coast Guard. This includes flying assets from substation Hato and maritime assets from substation Sint Maarten. Regarding maritime law enforcement, both French and Coast Guard have to coordinate their operations, since the territorial waters are almost bordering around some islands. Furthermore, valuable information is exchanged on a regular basis.
Program
The ships will be open starting at 11.00 AM. Throughout the day there will be demonstrations with the Coast Guard vessels on the water and with the helicopter and the Dash-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft in the air. At 4.00 PM the Open Day closes its doors for the public.
Parking and transportation
Parking for the general public is available at the first turn off after Dock Maarten on your right on the sandy area. Guests are asked to follow the securities instructions. Parking will be open at 9:30 AM and closes at 5.00 PM sharp. After parking, guests can walk around via the sidewalk to the main entrance. Photo I.D. will be a requirement for entering the facility. Bags and other items may be subject to inspection. Free transportation is also provided with water taxis from Captain Hodge Wharf to the location of the activities.