Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
MARIGOT--The volunteers of French-side sea rescue service SNSM savoured an uplifting moment Friday evening when their second-hand semi-rigid inflatable boat (RIB) was christened officially at a ceremony on the shore next to Marina Fort Louis in front of elected officials and many invited guests.
The yellow RIB came into view with its crew just before the ceremony began, followed by the lifeboats SNSM 269 from St. Barths and Rescue 2 from the St. Maarten Sea Rescue Foundation, both vessels sounding their horns for the celebratory occasion before tying up to the entrance dock.
The 12-metre-long 3.62-metre-wide RIB named Rescue Star is powered by two 275-horsepower outboard engines and in calm sea conditions can reach speeds of 35-40 knots. Thanks to its lightness and manoeuvrability it can access hard-to-reach areas more easily, something the heavy SNSM 129 Notre Dame de la Garoupe was unable to do.
The purchase of the RIB was made possible by funding from Rotary Club St. Martin Nord and the Chicago Rotary Club.
Since the SNSM 129 was badly damaged after Hurricane Gonzalo SNSM has not had any rescue vessel at its disposal to respond to some 30 missions, until now.
Following a benediction by Father Charles, SNSM President René-Jean Duret thanked all of the service clubs for their tireless efforts in raising funds during the SOS SNSM campaign for repairs immediately after Hurricane Gonzalo. Various companies also contributed. He also thanked the Collectivité for providing the station’s headquarters opposite O’ Plongeoir Restaurant for the past 14 years.
Territorial Council President Aline Hanson, who is the godmother of Rescue Star, said she was full of admiration for the bravery of sea rescue volunteers working with limited means, but assured that the Collectivité was always there for moral support even if it could not always provide financial support.
“I congratulate you for the work you do. We do need you,†she said. “The sea can be very attractive, but also very dangerous.â€
She encouraged SNSM to train young St. Martiners in becoming volunteers and encouraged more people to join the association and companies to make donations.
Hanson and Senator Guillaume Arnell, who also spoke, both have made personal donations to SNSM. Arnell presented a cheque to René-Jean Duret
Opposition Councillor Dominique Aubert read a message of congratulations from MP Daniel Gibbs, who was in Paris. Gibbs donated 12,000 euros to SNSM through a Parliamentary reserve fund.
Préfet Philippe Chopin could not be present either, but Secretary-General Matthieu Doligez spoke on his behalf.
Father Charles, due to his reduced mobility, transferred the baptism duties to Aline Hanson, who also christened Rescue Star with a bottle of champagne. As the hull of the RIB is rubber, an anchor was set up on the dock with the champagne bottle suspended from a line. A good swing from Hanson and the bottle broke satisfyingly against the anchor.
A large number of guests attended the ceremony, including Vice-President Ramona Connor; Maritime Affairs, Marine Trades Association Metimer and Lions Club representatives; Port Director Albéric Ellis; Chamber of Commerce President Jean Arnell; former Territorial Council president Alain Richardson; Economic, Social and Cultural Council President Georges Gumbs; new Police aux Frontières (PAF) Commandant Jean-Luc Deras; and other persons from the nautical community.
The damaged SNSM 129 lifeboat will be readied for shipping back to SNSM workshops in France in July or August, including fabricating a cradle for the transportation. It will be taken by barge from Sandy Ground to the port in Philipsburg. From there it goes on a CMA-CGM ship to Pointe-Ã -Pitre before continuing on to Le Havre and finally St. Malo.
The replacement SNSM 121 lifeboat is due to arrive in St. Maarten in August, at which time the SNSM service will be back up to operational speed again with two working rescue vessels.
Duret estimated the transportation cost of the two vessels to be 24,000 euros. More expenses will be incurred for adapting the RIB for rescues, as it formerly was used as a dive boat. He said SNSM also would be organising a donation of lifejackets to the St. Martin Fishermen’s Association.
The service clubs are continuing to raise funds towards the cost of the extra equipment needed for the RIB and the cost associated with the transportation of SNSM 129 and 121. SNSM is also appealing to companies and the public to donate funds.
Donations to SNSM can be made by cheque deposited in the SNSM mailbox opposite Fort Louis Marina or by post to S.N.S.M. (station de St. Martin), 18 Boulevard de Hubert Petit, Marigot 97150.
