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Thefts in St. Martin

Patrick M. Hightower

Mon, Aug 13, 2007 5:06 PM

Concerning the lack of interest of the islanders in rectifying the theft
problem perhaps it would make more sense if letters were sent to a higher
level of public servant. French St.Martin is governed from Guadeloupe and
is represented directly in Paris. It is also officially European Commission
soil. The Dutch side is of the Netherland Antilles and is part of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands and is not part of E.C... They have to report
back to their protectorates in any case. These problems could also be
reported to the U.S. State Department which publishes a monthly list of
problems site throughout the world, as does Noonsite. The problem in the
Med should also be reported to government officials higher on their
countries food chain. Only when these tourist havens feel a economic loss
will there police and tourism boards wake up.

Concerning the lack of interest of the islanders in rectifying the theft problem perhaps it would make more sense if letters were sent to a higher level of public servant. French St.Martin is governed from Guadeloupe and is represented directly in Paris. It is also officially European Commission soil. The Dutch side is of the Netherland Antilles and is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is not part of E.C... They have to report back to their protectorates in any case. These problems could also be reported to the U.S. State Department which publishes a monthly list of problems site throughout the world, as does Noonsite. The problem in the Med should also be reported to government officials higher on their countries food chain. Only when these tourist havens feel a economic loss will there police and tourism boards wake up.

Patrik Kinander

Wed, Aug 15, 2007 10:10 PM

Hi.
My name is Patrik Kinander. I'm a live aboard in St.Martin since 2002.
We are living and working here, but cruise up and down the islands
when we get the time for it.

I'm Swedish so please excuse my grama.

I would say from a lot of cruising up and down the island chain that
the theft in St.Martin/St.Maarten is far less then in any other
island. Most of my friends doesn't lock there dingy, not even when
going ashore. And most of my friends doesn't lock there boats. During
all the years we been here I have had ONE friend who lost his dingy. A
brand new AB with a new 15 hp Yamaha. It was unlocked at the time,
tied to his boat. I don't know anyone who had a break in into there
boats. We have so far never locked our boat.

I have heard about some dingy thefts, and some breakin. And of course
we have our share of robberys when you are ashore. But, still, last
year when we visit Grenada there was atleast one break in per night
into boats at anchor in St. George. In St.Lucia there has been several
armed robbery on boats at anchor, something I not even heard about
here etc.

My point is that St.Martin/Maarten is still in my humble opinion one
of the safest islands to visit. I still think that the crimes that is
happening is not taken seriously enough by the authority and it's
good to bring it up.

Hi. My name is Patrik Kinander. I'm a live aboard in St.Martin since 2002. We are living and working here, but cruise up and down the islands when we get the time for it. I'm Swedish so please excuse my grama. I would say from a lot of cruising up and down the island chain that the theft in St.Martin/St.Maarten is far less then in any other island. Most of my friends doesn't lock there dingy, not even when going ashore. And most of my friends doesn't lock there boats. During all the years we been here I have had ONE friend who lost his dingy. A brand new AB with a new 15 hp Yamaha. It was unlocked at the time, tied to his boat. I don't know anyone who had a break in into there boats. We have so far never locked our boat. I have heard about some dingy thefts, and some breakin. And of course we have our share of robberys when you are ashore. But, still, last year when we visit Grenada there was atleast one break in per night into boats at anchor in St. George. In St.Lucia there has been several armed robbery on boats at anchor, something I not even heard about here etc. My point is that St.Martin/Maarten is still in my humble opinion one of the safest islands to visit. I still think that the crimes that is happening is not taken seriously enough by the authority and it's good to bring it up.