Port St. Maarten management and staff marked the 92nd anniversary of the late Dr. Claude Wathey’s birth by placing a wreath in front of his statue in front of the John Craane Terminal in Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities on Tuesday.
The propelling of St. Maarten as a top cruise destination and the construction of the country’s modern seaport were among the visions of Wathey, who is considered “the father of modern St. Maarten.” Port St. Maarten has grown from 108,000 cruise passengers in 1980 to more than 1.5 million passengers annually and has received accolades over the years recognising its leading position within the region and the role it plays in employment and business generated for the country: one-third of the country’s gross domestic product via cruise and cargo operations.
