TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin GEBE's new generators

Much as I hesitate to rain on GEBE's parade announcing the installation of its containerized generators, I cannot help wondering how well they will hold up when the next hurricane arrives. Here is a link to the story in the Herald:

Containerized generators operational by Aug.13

And here is the photo accompanying the article.



I am no engineer, but I see nothing suggesting any precautions have been taken or restraints have been constructed to prevent this equipment from being blown to kingdom come in the event of another strong storm. As heavy as this equipment may be, recall all the other "heavy" items like yachts, for example, that Irma scattered about turning everything in its wake into so much rubbish.

Anybody know anything about how this installation ought to be hardened?

I could be wrong, but I think that was the same picture which was posted when they first arrived. Someone here has posted on this subject in the past, so hopefully he will chime in.

All of the containers will be securely strapped , no worries on that period.

You have that much faith in GEBE?

Strapped to what?

Maybe ground spikes that won't hold. Yet to be seen and tested with hurricane winds.

Not directed at anyone in particular, or even this particular thread, but there's so much negativity on the forum! Sure, the island has its warts, but to me, they're overshadowed by the beauty of the people, the beaches, and the restaurants. There's not one thing I can do to heal those warts, so I'll continue to overlook them until they get intolerable to me. I do have the greatest sympathy for the residents who have to deal with them on a daily basis.

Do you literally think that a Country that has a yearly Hurricane Season would not protect stuff from flying ? Jesus
For your information , our first home in Beacon Hill survived Luis 1995 and our second bigger home survived Irma and Maria 2017 , why , because we had them both built properly plus with Hurricane Shutters .

Georgia--the situation with GEBE to me is entirely different than other complaints about the island. This situation is totally caused by the government owned utility and they are damaging the local people most of all. I cannot imagine putting up with what they have been putting up with, in terms of inconvenience and lack of comfort, as well as damage to appliances and businesses. We as tourists can decide to go elsewhere and if we do, we only damage the hard working local people even more. GEBE needs to get this situation resolved. Period.

Carol, I don't disagree, but to assume that the new generators are going to be thrown onto the ground without anchoring them with adequate hurricane straps is inappropriate. And for us, as tourists, to make those assumptions is even more inappropriate. Again, just my opinion, which is worth exactly what you paid for it.

Yes, Georgia, I agree with that.

Thanks and words always speaks for itself.

The pool service we use is telling us that the pool is not up to their quality standards of maintainance because of Gebe… Good Grief!

Well once the pump is working and they are cleaning the pool as regular by doing a good job there shouldn't be an issue. Speaking because we have a big pool .

Should have no bearing on that.

I don't have a pool but what I understood from sxmmarti's post is that electricity is needed to maintain the pool: filter (electric) without it pump doesn't work sense dirty pool is not usable.

You don't need the filters to run 24/7. 8 to 12 hours a day is sufficient. That is what I do for my pool and don't have any problems.

Yes Dear and the normal amount of daily hours is 6 for the pump to work properly , therefore in my opinion , the Pool guy is not doing a good job . Plus the pump comes on automatically too.

Meanwhile, getting back to the original topic, loadshedding for the past two days has been a minimum of THREE hours in each area. Really getting better. Not.

Load shedding is better than no electric. Trying hard not to be downer.

Well, gee, load shedding IS no electric, for a period of time...

8 hours now terrible

Wow, Lesley. Best wishes to all who are subject to this BS.

Well Carol , on the 13 the new containers will be ready , prayers .

One hopes so.

The Company just has an one hour interview on this topic .

Did they say they are on track to be operational tomorrow?

Yes but doesnt mean no more load shedding , just less .
By end of September the Company should be back to 100% in operation.

OK, best wishes.

The full reel of cable sitting there is a sign that they are NOT operational yet.

And, the picture and post are a week old. According to the Daily Herald, they are operational as of today. I have no idea if that is accurate or not but it appears to be a step forward.

The generators are up and running from yesterday afternoon.

GEBE's latest bonzo :"We would like to inform the community that we are currently experiencing ongoing issues with our seawater engines."

Yeah, that's been the excuse since Ernesto came by.

Two days with no outage thus far.

Lesley--I guess it's a start!

Maybe because Monday is Election Day? Sorry. It’s just the conspiracy theory in me!

Thanks Carol for positivity , blessings my Dear.

Sorry, everyone. Two days without a power outage is apparently their limit. Just posted on GEBE's facebook page

"Public Notice
19 August 2024
We hereby inform the public that several areas are out of power. Please see areas listed below.
2:49pm to 5:49pm
Cay Hill, Belair, Divi, Great Bay
2:35pm to 5:35pm
Cole Bay
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Over the Bank, Harbour View, Vine Yard, Buncamper Road, Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Point Blanche"