Megayachts being
lured to Great Bay
POINTE BLANCHE--The delights of a bustling town and no bridge hassles are selling points to lure megayachts to Great Bay. Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities have long been upgraded with the aim of persuading these floating chateaux to frequent Great Bay.
The first megayacht to contemplate making the new megapier, a short water ride taxi from Philipsburg, its refuelling and cruise start point is the 161-foot Trinity. The dazzling white megayacht berthed alongside the pier early Thursday morning and was able to refuel with ease, Ronald Ites of Blue Water Fuel Services told The Daily Herald.
The yacht, handled by agent Dockside Management, sets off on a cruise today, Friday. Ites said the facilities in Pointe Blanche were superb and the proximity to Philipsburg was ideal for owners and people on charters to soak up more of St. Maarten.
The investment St. Maarten Harbour Holding Company has made in a new and convenient fuelling system should lure more yachts to the bay. The draft around the pier and the designated megayacht area is more than seven metres, ideal for vessels such as Trinity.
As yacht arrival numbers plummet because of the island’s very high bridge clearance and other fees, it is more feasible for megayachts to head into Great Bay where the fees are lower and there are no bridge opening- and closing-time constraints.
