Would-be ‘jumpers’ not
allowed to leave ship
POINTE BLANCHE--Several persons from the Dominican Republic were not given permission to leave cruise ship Legend of the Seas Monday after authorities were tipped off that they had intentions of staying in St. Maarten.
According to information gathered by The Daily Herald, police, Immigration and Customs officials were on the scene at Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities to investigate the tip about the suspected “ship jumpers.”
The cruise ship homeports in the Dominican Republic, making it a good cover for people who want to enter St. Maarten in search of better economic opportunities.
The local authorities were unable to give many details about the incident up to press time, or to say whether anyone had managed to stay on the island despite the precautions, because the boat left port after 9:00pm.
