Benetti B.NOW 72M236' 3"
View Specs & ReviewThe superyacht capital with a beam limit — and a bridge that opens on a clock
Yachting in Sint Maarten
A Minted Location · Sint Maarten, The Leewards
In most of the Caribbean the question is how long your boat is. Here the question is how wide it is, and what time it is.
The Sint Maarten Port Authority publishes the gate in plain numbers: Simpson Bay Lagoon accepts yachts with a "maximum beam of 56 ft (17 meters) and a maximum draft of 17.0 ft (5.0 meters)" through the John Sainsborough Lejuez Bridge. Check your beam before your length — it is the figure that decides whether you get into the lagoon at all.
And the bridge runs on a published timetable. The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority states seven openings a day: "8:30 AM – Outbound, 9:30 AM – Inbound, 10:30 AM – Outbound, 11:30AM – Inbound, 02:00 PM – Inbound, 4:00 PM – Outbound, 05:00 PM – Inbound." Miss the 17:00 inbound and you are outside until 09:30 the following morning. ⚠️ Closed, the bridge carries about eight feet — SLAC gives "approx. 8.5 ft (varies with tide)", IGY and Marina Fort Louis both give 8 ft (2.4 m) — so nothing but a small powerboat gets under it, and everything else waits for the opening. Hail on VHF 12, and hold 5 mph in the channels and the lagoon.
Inside that gate is deep megayacht berthing. The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol publishes 40 berths, all megayacht berths, from 80 ft (24 m) to 320 ft (97 m), on 18 ft (5.5 m) of draft and 50 ft (15 m) of beam. Simpson Bay Marina publishes 122 slips including 20 megayacht berths to 190 ft (57.5 m). Port de Plaisance publishes 90+ slips for motor yachts from 40 ft to 260 ft on drafts to 16 ft. Palapa publishes 22 stern-to slips to 250 ft with fuel at every berth.
And the lagoon is two countries. The southern half of the island is Sint Maarten, the northern half is Saint-Martin, and the Port of Saint-Martin counts "Simpson Bay Lagoon" among "all territorial waters of Saint-Martin." A boat can cross an international border without leaving one body of water, so plan on clearing both ways. The Dutch side requires every vessel to clear in and out with Immigration; the French side requires French immigration formalities "12 miles off the coast of St. Maarten" and a clearance finalised at the port office in Marigot.
So treat Sint Maarten as what it is: deep berthing behind a tight entrance, on an island with two sets of paperwork.
Where to keep a yacht in Sint Maarten
Four marinas inside the lagoon, one in Great Bay outside it, and one across the border in Marigot that needs no bridge at all.
| Marina | Berths | Length | Draft | Beam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht Club Isle de Sol | 40 total · 40 megayacht | 80′ (24 m) – 320′ (97 m) | 18′ (5.5 m) | 50′ (15 m) |
| Simpson Bay Marina | 122 slips · 20 megayacht | to 190′ (57.5 m) | 13′ (4 m) | 34′ (10.4 m) |
| Port de Plaisance | 90+ slips | 40′ – 260′ | to 16′ | on request |
| Palapa Marina | 22 stern-to slips | to 250′ | 17′ | on request |
| Dock Maarten (Great Bay) | 15 slips | "No restriction" | 5 m / 16.5 ft | "No restriction" |
| Marina Fort Louis (Marigot) | 150 slips | to 260′ | 12′ | on request |
Isle de Sol publishes a floor as well as a ceiling — a minimum length of 80 ft (24 m). Below that, it is not your marina. Power runs 50 amp, 100 amp single-phase, 100 amp three-phase and 480 V 100 amp three-phase; VHF 16 and 78A; ISPS compliant; office 07:00–18:00 weekdays and 07:00–19:00 at weekends — longer at the weekend than midweek, which is worth knowing.
Simpson Bay Marina keeps the same long day every day of the week: 07:30–18:30, Monday through Sunday. 30 and 50 amp, 100 amp single- and three-phase, VHF 16 and 79A, full 24-hour security, chandlery and crew facilities on site.
Port de Plaisance runs "220, 380, 480v 60 hertz single or 3-phase power supply", Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel, reverse-osmosis water, VHF 16/67, ISPS certified. Maximum beam, office hours and the slip breakdown come from the marina rather than its website — in a market gated on beam, make that call before you commit. Palapa publishes the fuel arrangement that matters at size — "Fueling at every berth with low sulfur fuel" — on 220, 380, 440 V single or three-phase, 60 Hz.
Dock Maarten carries two published sizes, and they are a long way apart. Its own site publishes 15 slips, "No restriction" on both maximum LOA and maximum beam, 5 m / 16.5 ft of draft, 2×100 amp per plug, 480/220 V 60 Hz, a 300 amp hardwired pedestal, VHF 87 int with 16 monitored, "fully ISPS compliant (MARSEC Level 1)", and says it takes "vessels of all sizes, including mega yachts over 100 meters in length." The Sint Maarten Port Authority's yachting page gives "up to 40 vessels of up to 120 ft in length." Both figures are here; confirm yours with the marina before you commit a big boat to Great Bay.
Great Bay is the answer for anything the bridge will not take. The port authority publishes good anchorage in 12.19 m (40 ft) of water, a tidal range of "maximum of 1 ft", commercial berths at Windjammer West (65 m / 213 ft long, 6.5 m / 21.5 ft depth) and Windjammer North (100 m / 328 ft, 6.5 m / 21.5 ft), and a mega-yacht fuelling station near the Windjammer berths.
On the French side, Marina Fort Louis sells the absence of the bridge as the product — its own site says "Bridge-Free access" and "No bridges in paradise!" — with 150 slips, yachts up to 260 ft, 12 ft of draft, fuel bunkering, water and port-clearance assistance, at N 18 04.194 | W 63 05.267. Office 08:00–18:00 Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00 Saturday, 08:00–12:00 Sunday and public holidays, with different hours mid-June to mid-November. Rates come from the marina's own calculator, with "4% Gov. tax not included" and position surcharges of "Alongside (+ 15%) T-Dock* (+ 30% - Docks D, E, F, G)."* on top.
Marina Port La Royale sits at the head of Marigot, on the French side of the lagoon. Confirm berths, maximum length, draft and depth with the Port of Saint-Martin before you plan around it.
Marinas
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Slips | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht Club Isle de SolThe market's ceiling, and it publishes a floor as well: "40 Total berths", "40 Megayacht berths", minimum length "80' (24m)", maximum "320' (97m)", "Max Draft: 18' (5.5m)", "Max Beam: 50' (15m)". Power 50 amp, 100 amp SP, 100 amp 3P and 480 V 100 amp 3P. Its own page publishes the bridge alongside the berths — "Maximum Width: 55′ (16.75m)", clearance "8′ (2.4m) varies with tide changes", water depth "19.5′ (6m)". That 55 ft width sits alongside the Port Authority's 56 ft beam limit and Marina Fort Louis's 17.0 m bridge width: plan against 55 ft and confirm anything wider with the bridge operator. | Simpson Bay Lagoon, inside the bridge | 320 ft | 40 | Fuelling on site |
| Simpson Bay Marina"122 Total Slips" with "20 Megayacht Berths", "Max Length: 190' (57.5m)", "Max Draft: 13' (4m)", "Max Beam: 34' (10.4m)". Power 30 and 50 amp, 100 amp SP and 100 amp 3P. Ship's chandlery, crew facilities, provisioning, waste disposal and on-site shopping and dining. Its page publishes the bridge figures too — clearance "8′ (2.4m)" and water depth "19.5′ (6m)". The 34 ft beam limit is the number that actually selects the boat for this dock. | Simpson Bay Lagoon, inside the bridge | 190 ft | 122 | Fuelling; pilotage available |
| The Yacht Club at Port de Plaisance"With a total of 90+ slips, we accommodate all-size vessels" and an "ISPS certified facility for motor-yachts from 40′ to 260′" "with drafts up to 16′". Power is "220, 380, 480v 60 hertz single or 3-phase power supply", with reverse osmosis water and free high-speed wireless. Maximum beam, office hours and the slip breakdown come from the marina rather than its website — in a market gated on beam, make that call before you commit. | Simpson Bay Lagoon | 260 ft | 90 | Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) |
| Palapa Marina"22 Stern-to Slips", "Up to 250ft", "Draft up to 17ft", on "electricity of 220, 380, 440v single or 3-phase – 60Htz". The line worth reading twice is the fuel one: "Fueling at every berth with low sulfur fuel" — at this size a yacht does not move to a fuel dock, so fuel in the slip is what makes a 250-foot berth usable rather than merely long. Black-water removal available. Maximum beam, VHF channel and office hours on request. | Simpson Bay Lagoon | 250 ft | 22 | Fuelling at every berth — low-sulfur fuel, Mobil and Shell products |
| Dock MaartenTwo published sizes for the same marina, a long way apart. Dock Maarten's own site publishes "15 SLIPS available", maximum LOA "No restriction", maximum beam "No restriction", maximum draft "5M / 16,5 ft", and says it takes "vessels of all sizes, including mega yachts over 100 meters in length". The Sint Maarten Port Authority's yachting page gives "up to 40 vessels of up to 120 ft in length". Both figures are here; confirm yours with the marina before you commit a big boat to Great Bay. Power is "2X100 amp/plug", "480/220V 60hz power" and a "300 amp/pedestal" hardwire option. | Great Bay, Philipsburg — outside the bridge | — | 15 | — |
| Marina Fort LouisThe French-side answer, and it sells the one thing no lagoon marina can: "Bridge-Free access", or in its own words, "No bridges in paradise!" "150 slips available", "yachts up to 260 ft", "12 ft draft", at N 18 04.194 | W 63 05.267. Fuel bunkering, water and port-clearance assistance on site. Low-season hours run mid-June to mid-November. Rates come from the site's own calculator, with "4% Gov. tax not included" and position surcharges of "Alongside* (+ 15%) T-Dock* (+ 30% - Docks D, E, F, G)" on top. VHF channel, depth and power specification on request. | Marigot, Saint-Martin (French side) | 260 ft | 150 | Fuel bunkering |
| Marina Port La RoyaleOne of the best-known names on the French side of the lagoon, at the head of Marigot. Berths, maximum length, draft and depth are settled through the Port of Saint-Martin rather than from a published table, so confirm them by telephone before you plan around it. | Marigot, inside the lagoon (French side) | — | — | — |
Figures are as each facility publishes them on its own site; blank cells mean the facility doesn't state a number. Confirm slip availability and current rates directly — or ask us to make the calls.
Cruising from Sint Maarten
The bridge is the clearance you plan around, and it is published to the minute.
| Simpson Bay Bridge (Dutch) | 08:30 out · 09:30 in · 10:30 out · 11:30 in · 14:00 in · 16:00 out · 17:00 in |
| Clearance closed | "approx. 8.5 ft" (SLAC) · 8′ / 2.4 m (IGY and Marina Fort Louis) |
| Width | 17.0 m (Marina Fort Louis) · 55′ (16.75 m) (IGY) |
| Lagoon limit | beam 56 ft (17 m) · draft 17.0 ft (5.0 m) — Sint Maarten Port Authority |
| Water at the bridge | 19.5′ (6 m) — IGY and Marina Fort Louis |
| Causeway Bridge (Dutch) | 08:00 · 10:00 · 16:30 · air draft closed 6.2 m · width 23.0 m · depth 6.0 m |
| Sandy Ground Bridge (French) | 08:30 and 17:00, in and out · width 10 m · depth 3.5 / 3.8 m · draught 2.9 / 3.3 m · VHF 16 |
| Speed | 5 mph in the channels and the lagoon · no-wake near anchorages and marinas |
| Hail | VHF 12 |
Read the two Dutch bridges against each other. The Causeway carries 6.2 m of clearance closed and 23.0 m of width; the Simpson Bay Bridge carries about 2.4 m and 17 m. The sea entrance is the tighter of the two, which is why the beam figure is the one that decides whether you come in at all. The afternoon opening is 14:00; an older 15:00 slot still appears on some tables, so work from the Lagoon Authority's schedule on the day.
Two countries, one lagoon — and both sets of paperwork are real.
Sint Maarten (Dutch side). "All vessels arriving in or departing from St. Maarten waters must clear in and out with the Immigration Department." Two ports of entry: Great Bay (Philipsburg), the office just outside the harbour port gates on the right-hand side, and Simpson Bay, in the police station adjacent to the channel into the lagoon. Great Bay immigration: 07:00–17:00, seven days a week. Simpson Bay immigration: 08:00–16:00, every day. A clearance counter also runs 08:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:30 Monday to Friday and 09:00–12:00 at weekends — check which office yours is when you call ahead. Immigration monitors VHF 12; hail your dockmaster on 16/69 before arrival. A valid passport is required for all nationalities.
Saint-Martin (French side). The Port of Saint-Martin publishes it flatly: "When entering French waters, 12 miles off the coast of St. Maarten, the captain of a vessel must observe French immigration regulations." Control by the Police aux Frontières is systematic. You "go to the port office (commercial port reception) to finalize your clearance", open 08:00–17:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00–12:00 Saturday, carrying the clearance from your last port of call, the boat's certificate of registration, its certificate of insurance, a list of passengers and crew, and passports. "The mooring fee will have to be paid upon departure also at the port premises." VHF 16.
Crossing the border inside the lagoon is still crossing a border. Plan on clearing both ways, and confirm the detail with the office you are clearing into.
The storm regime is published by one government, not both.
⚠️ On an orange alert issued by Météo-France, the Port of Saint-Martin prohibits mooring outright: "Mooring is strictly prohibited" across "all territorial waters of Saint-Martin, including bays, light mooring zones (ZMEL), and Simpson Bay Lagoon", for vessels of any size or flag. Into the lagoon, "Only vessels with a confirmed haul-out reservation at a boatyard will be permitted", and "No vessel may remain afloat during orange, red, or purple alerts." The last bridge opening is allowed up to orange alert if winds are below 25 knots. To get in you must produce vessel registration or customs clearance, proof of insurance covering natural disasters and salvage, and the boatyard's reservation confirmation. Vessels in breach "may be removed at the owner's expense" and face administrative sanctions. The Dutch side sets no equivalent rule, so book the yard early and agree the plan with your underwriter well before the season.
The French authority also runs a boat-wreck removal programme in its half of the lagoon and has 80 mooring buoys planned for Marigot Bay at "around 800,000 to 900,000 euros", 70% EU-funded.
The yard at Cole Bay is the one to know. IMM's St Maarten Shipyard, formerly Bobby's Mega Yard, publishes a 20,000 m² yard with "150– and 75–ton Travelifts" on "3m max draft" and "10m max width" — roughly 9.8 ft of draft and 32.8 ft of beam — with certified welding, machining, hydraulics, composite and carbon work, paintwork and class-survey support. Bobby's Marina runs "Two Marine Travel lifts, accommodating anything from your day sailor or small fishing boat to large catamarans and 100+ ft yachts", with tonnage, beam and draft on request.
- The Simpson Bay Bridge — check your beam before your length — The entrance to Simpson Bay LagoonThe Sint Maarten Port Authority states the lagoon accepts yachts with a "maximum beam of 56 ft (17 meters) and a maximum draft of 17.0 ft (5.0 meters)" through the John Sainsborough Lejuez Bridge. SLAC publishes the schedule: "8:30 AM – Outbound, 9:30 AM – Inbound, 10:30 AM – Outbound, 11:30AM – Inbound, 02:00 PM – Inbound, 4:00 PM – Outbound, 05:00 PM – Inbound." Clearance closed is "approx. 8.5 ft (varies with tide)" on SLAC's page and 8 ft (2.4 m) on IGY's and Marina Fort Louis's — plan against 8 ft. Width is 17.0 m on Marina Fort Louis's table and 55′ (16.75 m) on IGY's, so plan against 55 ft and confirm anything wider with the bridge operator. The published water at the bridge is 19.5 ft (6 m), which is a depth rather than a permitted draft — the limit that governs is the Port Authority's 17.0 ft. The Causeway Bridge is the wider gate: 08:00, 10:00 and 16:30, air draft closed 6.2 m, width 23.0 m, depth 6.0 m. Sandy Ground on the French side: 08:30 and 17:00, width 10 m, depth 3.5/3.8 m, draught 2.9/3.3 m, VHF 16.
- Two countries, one lagoon — clear in on both sides — Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin watersA boat can cross an international border here without leaving one body of water. Dutch side: "All vessels arriving in or departing from St. Maarten waters must clear in and out with the Immigration Department." Two ports of entry — Great Bay (Philipsburg), the office just outside the harbour port gates, open 07:00–17:00 seven days; and Simpson Bay, in the police station adjacent to the lagoon channel, open 08:00–16:00 daily. A clearance counter running 08:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:30 weekdays and 09:00–12:00 at weekends is published alongside these, so check which office yours is when you call. Immigration monitors VHF 12. French side: the Port of Saint-Martin publishes that "When entering French waters, 12 miles off the coast of St. Maarten, the captain of a vessel must observe French immigration regulations", with systematic Police aux Frontières control; you "go to the port office (commercial port reception) to finalize your clearance", open 08:00–17:00 Mon–Fri and 08:00–12:00 Sat, carrying the clearance from your last port, the registration and insurance certificates, a crew and passenger list and passports. "The mooring fee will have to be paid upon departure also at the port premises." Plan on clearing both ways, including for a move across the border inside the lagoon.
- Hurricane season — book the haul-out before the alert — Saint-Martin territorial waters, including Simpson Bay LagoonThe Port of Saint-Martin states that on an orange alert issued by Météo-France, "Mooring is strictly prohibited" throughout "all territorial waters of Saint-Martin, including bays, light mooring zones (ZMEL), and Simpson Bay Lagoon", for vessels of any size or flag. Into the lagoon, "Only vessels with a confirmed haul-out reservation at a boatyard will be permitted", and "No vessel may remain afloat during orange, red, or purple alerts." The final bridge opening is allowed up to orange alert only while winds are below 25 knots. Entry requires vessel registration or customs clearance, "Proof of insurance covering natural disasters and salvage", and the boatyard's reservation confirmation. Vessels in breach "may be removed at the owner's expense" and face administrative sanctions. The Dutch side sets no equivalent rule, so book the yard early and agree the plan with your underwriter. The French authority also runs a boat-wreck removal programme in its half of the lagoon and has 80 mooring buoys planned for Marigot Bay at "around 800,000 to 900,000 euros", 70% EU-financed.
Service, refit & supplies
Shipyards & refit
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Dockage |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Maarten Shipyard, Cole BayIMM publishes a 20,000 m² yard — "IMM SXM Shipyard (formerly Bobby's Mega Yard)" — with "150– and 75–ton Travelifts" on "3m max draft" and "10m max width", roughly 9.8 ft of draft and 32.8 ft of beam. Certified welding for all metals, general mechanics and propulsion, tank cleaning and painting, valve overhaul, machining, hydraulics and piping, teak decking, composite and carbon work, paintwork and class-survey support, with a 50+ person team. Bobby's Marina runs "Two Marine Travel lifts, accommodating anything from your day sailor or small fishing boat to large catamarans and 100+ ft yachts", with tonnage, beam and draft on request. | Cole Bay | — | — |
On the Sint Maarten calendar
Sint Maarten runs year-round, and it is the market where the clocks matter most, because one of them is a bridge.
- Simpson Bay Bridge — seven openings a day: 08:30 outbound · 09:30 inbound · 10:30 outbound · 11:30 inbound · 14:00 inbound · 16:00 outbound · 17:00 inbound. The afternoon slot is 14:00; an older 15:00 still appears on some tables. Hail on VHF 12.
- Causeway Bridge: 08:00, 10:00 and 16:30, in and out.
- Sandy Ground Bridge (French side): 08:30 and 17:00, in and out, VHF 16. The bridge is under renovation by the Collectivité, with operation due to transfer to the Port Authority and a bridge fee under study — confirm it before you rely on it.
- Yacht Club Isle de Sol: 07:00–18:00 Monday to Friday, 07:00–19:00 Saturday and Sunday. Longer at the weekend than midweek.
- Simpson Bay Marina: 07:30–18:30, seven days.
- Marina Fort Louis: 08:00–18:00 Mon–Fri, 08:00–17:00 Sat, 08:00–12:00 Sunday and public holidays — with different low-season hours from mid-June to mid-November.
- Immigration (Dutch side): Great Bay 07:00–17:00 seven days; Simpson Bay 08:00–16:00 daily, with a clearance counter also running 08:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:30 weekdays, 09:00–12:00 weekends.
- Port office (French side): 08:00–17:00 Monday to Friday, 08:00–12:00 Saturday.
- Hurricane season, French side: on a Météo-France orange alert, mooring is strictly prohibited in all Saint-Martin waters including Simpson Bay Lagoon; the lagoon admits only vessels with a confirmed haul-out booking; no vessel may remain afloat on orange, red or purple; and the last bridge opening runs up to orange alert only while winds stay below 25 knots. The Dutch side sets no equivalent rule.
Race and regatta dates are set by the organising clubs — confirm them directly with the organiser. The bridge and the office hours above are the clocks that actually change a trip.
Yachts we'd shortlist for Sint Maarten
Reviewed the same way as everything on this site — specifications verified against the builder's own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum beam that can enter Simpson Bay Lagoon?
Fifty-six feet. The Sint Maarten Port Authority publishes that Simpson Bay Lagoon accepts yachts with a maximum beam of 56 ft (17 metres) and a maximum draft of 17.0 ft (5.0 metres) through the John Sainsborough Lejuez Bridge. Check your beam before your length — this market is gated on width rather than on length. Two other official figures exist for the same gap: Marina Fort Louis publishes a bridge width of 17.0 m and IGY publishes "Maximum Width: 55′ (16.75m)." Plan against 55 ft (16.75 m) and confirm anything wider with the bridge operator before you commit.
Is Simpson Bay Lagoon safe in a hurricane?
The one government that publishes a rule says no boat may stay afloat there. The Port of Saint-Martin states that on a Météo-France orange alert, mooring is strictly prohibited throughout all territorial waters of Saint-Martin including Simpson Bay Lagoon, for any size or flag; that only vessels with a confirmed haul-out reservation at a boatyard may enter the lagoon; and that no vessel may remain afloat during orange, red or purple alerts. The final bridge opening runs up to orange alert only while winds stay below 25 knots, and entry requires registration, proof of insurance covering natural disasters and salvage, and the yard's booking confirmation. Vessels in breach may be removed at the owner's expense. The Dutch side sets no equivalent rule, so book the haul-out early and agree the plan with your underwriter.
Do you have to clear customs between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin?
Plan on clearing. The island is two countries sharing one lagoon: the Dutch side requires that all vessels arriving in or departing from St. Maarten waters clear in and out with the Immigration Department, at Great Bay (07:00–17:00, seven days) or Simpson Bay (08:00–16:00, daily), with Immigration monitoring VHF 12. The Port of Saint-Martin publishes that a captain entering French waters 12 miles off the coast must observe French immigration regulations, with systematic Police aux Frontières control and clearance finalised at the port office in Marigot, 08:00–17:00 weekdays and 08:00–12:00 Saturday. Treat a move across the border inside the lagoon the same way — clear both ways, and confirm the detail with the office you are clearing into.
What is the largest yacht that can berth in Sint Maarten?
Three hundred and twenty feet, at the Yacht Club Isle de Sol, which publishes 40 berths — all megayacht berths — from a minimum of 80 ft (24 m) to a maximum of 320 ft (97 m), on 18 ft (5.5 m) of draft and 50 ft (15 m) of beam. Simpson Bay Marina publishes 122 slips including 20 megayacht berths to 190 ft, Port de Plaisance 90+ slips for motor yachts from 40 to 260 ft on drafts to 16 ft, and Palapa 22 stern-to slips to 250 ft with fuelling at every berth. All of them sit inside the bridge, so the lagoon's published 56 ft beam limit applies before any marina's own figure does.
What are the Simpson Bay Bridge opening times?
The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority publishes seven openings a day: 08:30 outbound, 09:30 inbound, 10:30 outbound, 11:30 inbound, 14:00 inbound, 16:00 outbound and 17:00 inbound. Hail on VHF 12 before approaching and hold 5 mph in the channels and the lagoon. The afternoon slot is 14:00; an older 15:00 still appears on some tables, so work from the Lagoon Authority's schedule on the day. Clearance when the bridge is closed is published as "approx. 8.5 ft" by SLAC and as 8 ft (2.4 m) by IGY and Marina Fort Louis, so almost nothing gets under it. The Causeway Bridge opens at 08:00, 10:00 and 16:30.
Can you haul out a yacht in Sint Maarten?
Yes. IMM's St Maarten Shipyard at Cole Bay, formerly Bobby's Mega Yard, publishes a 20,000 m² yard with 150- and 75-ton travelifts on 3 m maximum draft and 10 m maximum width — roughly 9.8 ft of draft and 32.8 ft of beam — with certified welding, machining, hydraulics, composite and carbon work, paintwork and class-survey support. Bobby's Marina runs "two Marine Travel lifts" taking "anything from your day sailor or small fishing boat to large catamarans and 100+ ft yachts", with tonnage on request. Book early if you are cruising into hurricane season: a confirmed haul-out reservation is what gets a vessel into the lagoon under a French orange alert.