TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Large black dinghy at mullet yesterday

We were at mullet yesterday and a very large black dinghy looking boat with a bunch of people all dressed in dark clothing! We thought some type of military. Anybody know what that might have been?

Wasn't a Dutch navy ship due to be in the area soon? Any connection? Or not!

Perhaps someone's 'SECRET PARTY GUEST' was still trying to come ashore in St. Maarten. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Blackbeards funeral.

SXM Wendell

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I have seen that dingy (very long) many times over the last ten years. It is some type of military, like a SXM Coast Guard or possibly a police boat. It cruise's off shore from the Oyster pond agrea, down to Phillipsburg and on to the French border by Cupacoy. It also has some type of machine gun mounted on the bow.

Is that the same boat (with the machine gun) that patrols the beach at the Westin to keep marauders off the sand? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

It's the Dutch side Coast Guard. There are 2 of those boats. Then there is also the tender from the Dutch navy ship that is here for some kind of celebration. The dutch navy ship was off the south coast yesterday. It's big and white.

Just to be clear, a RIB is not a dinghy, although a dinghy can be a RIB.

A dinghy is typically a small tender to a larger boat. A RIB is a rigid hulled boat, (Inflatable).

Yes, it is the local Coast Guard. They are stationed right inside the Simpson Bay Bridge. They have two of those, as well as an older grey gun boat that may or may not leave the dock.

The Dutch Coast Guard is very active during the Heineken Regatta and they are doing daily patrols at the moment. Mainly they are showing presence, but the Dutch do infrequently enforce dinghy rules with rather steep fines:

- must have an anchor
- one vest aboard per occupant
- white light (may be a flashlight) at night
- a driver who is not intoxicated

Having watched some of those crews partying at the Yacht Club, I wonder how much they enforce that last one! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" />

Carol - what they'll do is wait in the dark by the Palapa docks for a dinghy running without a light. Then they'll check all the other items listed above and one can hear that cash register sound going "ka-ching" as they tick through their checklist and note the infractions.
Considering that there have been dinghy fatalities in the lagoon due to lack of lighting (and alcohol, of course) this is not a bad thing.
There were instances of them going overboard two years ago during the Heineken Regatta with spot checks as well as license checks (who carries their SRC radio license with them in the dinghy while having a handheld VHF in operation?), but it went all the way to the Minister of tourism within a day and their somewhat overzealous actions were soon curtailed.

While in SXM in Feb. we saw what we believe to be Coast Guard trainees a few times in Simpson Bay.They were doing physical exercises and swimming the bay at night. Of course we always see the Coast Guard in their rigid inflatable boat patrolling Simpson Bay checking the boats anchored there. They wear dark uniforms.

I'm certain it's a good thing to have the person driving the dinghy NOT be drinking, just the way I see those folks pounding them down after the races, I wonder..

I don't think there has ever been a life jacket in my dinghy. Where would you leave them when you went ashore?

You can use a plastic coated cable or chain and a lock to run thru the armholes or the sewn loops on the life jackets AFTER YOU DOCK and then thru the permanent handholds on the dinghy.

Not having readily available life preservers for each watercraft passenger readily available is not only unlawful, but also "dumber than dirt"!

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"Not having readily available life preservers for each watercraft passenger readily available is not only unlawful, but also "dumber than dirt"! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />"

Very true.

The only time I have one or more on the dinghy is in Sint Maarten. But I have a couple of cheap ones as "sacrificial" vests and don't bother locking them because I know nobody will bother absconding with 'em. The good inflatable Spinlock ones remain onboard.
The big grey patrol boat just left the lagoon after dark tonight and I passed the black RIB lurking in the dark at the gas station; but luckily I had a bright white all-around light on the dinghy and they didn't bother stopping me on the way to Barnacle's.

Boat cushions with handles is better than nothing at all and is passable for a PFD. Having one with a line attached is good to have on board.

I'm thinking the "big grey one" is a Dutch CG vessel at around 150' with a stern ramp that the RIB comes aboard on. I have seen them patrolling Simpson bay as well as in Aruba. The USCG liked the design so much they are building a bunch of them calling them the "hero" class cutters named after enlisted men and women who performed above and beyond.

Bill, comments not appreciated. I have been sailing the VI's for 20+ years. I have never seen a dinghy with PFDs unless there are kids aboard. I have never heard any charter briefer ask or suggest putting 6-8 PFDs in a 10' dinghy

It's the law, Not just here ins St. Martin but every civilized country and if you choose to make your own rules, I hope I am not around when you need them. Hind sight will always be 20/20.

Your a fool to put your self and guests in a situation that could be avoided in an emergency. PFD are required for a reason. Get with it. Its common practice that any competent boater knows about and adheres to. Glad I don't sail with you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Perfect location, you will be be very please with location next to all you need... Dining,lunch and night dining,water sports, 5 places different locations to lounge plus Club Orient if desires...other dining options other than the Village if you ask the locals. Not knowing your taste ..... Enjoy!!

OK, have no idea how this thread got to here, but regardless, it's done.