Fabian erodes beaches,
cruise ships stay away
PHILIPSBURG--The rough sea conditions associated with Hurricane Fabian eroded beaches around the island, especially Great Bay Beach, and prompted harbour authorities to take precautionary measures. Cruise ship visits were cancelled.
Out of "precaution," St. Maarten Ports Authority (SMPA) had advised operators and owners on Monday to remove their boats and put them in Simpson Bay Lagoon, stated SMPA's Managing Director Rommel Charles on Tuesday.
The floor planks of the wooden structure on the left side at Captain Hodge Wharf were also removed. The structure was closed off for safety reasons. Large swells could be seen Monday night and Tuesday pounding on the pier and water was gushing through the openings. When conditions have improved, the planks will be put back, said Charles.
The cruise and cargo facilities are "intact," with no damage reported, said Charles. "We have pretty strong surges, but nothing that we didn't expect. We are letting nature run its course." Cargo ships and the smaller island boats were unable to moor on Tuesday.
The cruise ships Adventure of the Seas and Zuiderdam cancelled their visits on Tuesday. The Norway will not be coming in today, Wednesday, but the Carnival Triumph might, said Charles. "We will be following the normal schedule, if conditions are favourable. We will let them know if they can come in. They are aware that if it's too rough, they can't come," he said.
Meanwhile, Great Bay Beach was washing away. Large swells started to pound the beach Monday evening and continued to eat away the beach, which was replenished in 2000 to the tune of US $4.5 million, on Tuesday.
Captain Hodge Wharf was covered with sand and seaweed. Pieces of wood, trash and even a fish trap washed ashore. Water came up to the level of Beach Plaza Casino.
With no cruise tourists visiting the island, taxi drivers hung around Wathey Square with little to do. The tourism information booth also had little business. An occasional visitor had to stand on a wooden crate, as the booth was surrounded by water.
Tropical Shipping and Intermar didn't have regular calls on Tuesday. Tropical was expecting one of its container ships to come in today. If the swells have subsided the ship can moor; if not, it will have to deviate. George Pelgrim of Intermar said that "hopefully" things would be back to normal by Thursday. One of Intermar's regular container ships is scheduled in for Friday.
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