Attendees being shown a mast at FKG Rigging.
PHILIPSBURG--Government officials, policymakers, educators, labour representatives and marine industry stakeholders gained first-hand insight into the scale, opportunities and challenges of the marine sector during the Marine Industry Immersion Day held on Wednesday, June 17.
The event, organised by the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) in collaboration with the National Employment Service Center (NESC), brought participants together for an industry tour, panel discussion and interactive round table sessions focused on strengthening collaboration and supporting the future development of the marine industry.
The immersion day began with a tour aboard Boomerang Charters through the Simpson Bay Lagoon, giving participants a broader view of the concentration of marine businesses operating within the lagoon and their contribution to St. Maarten’s economy.
The first stop was IMM Shipyard, where participants learnt about the important role shipyards play in the marine sector. Attendees were introduced to the maintenance, repair and refit work carried out on vessels ranging from private yachts to commercial craft.
The visit also highlighted investments made by local businesses to attract vessel owners from around the world to have work completed in St. Maarten and, in many cases, base their vessels on the island year-round, generating economic activity across multiple sectors.
The tour continued at Island Water World, one of the Caribbean’s largest chandlery businesses. Founded in St. Maarten in 1967 and now operating multiple locations throughout the region, the company showcased the products and services it provides to the marine community while also highlighting workforce and staffing challenges facing the industry.
Participants later divided into smaller groups and visited three additional marine-related organisations. At FKG Marine Rigging, attendees toured workshops and learnt about specialised services including rigging, fabrication, welding, ropework and custom marine solutions. The visit demonstrated the technical expertise and diverse skill sets required within the sector.
Electec welcomed participants into its facilities, highlighting the importance of existing dealerships of major international brands held by the company and other businesses. Participants learnt about the technical expertise required to support these types of dealerships within the marine and construction industries.
The Maritime School of the West Indies provided information about internationally recognised certifications available through its training programmes, including STCW, Powerboat, Yacht Master and Keelboat certifications under the International Yacht Training (IYT) system.
Participants also learnt about the school’s Kidz at Sea programme, which provides opportunities for underserved youth through maritime certifications, soft skills training and career guidance to support entry into the marine industry. The programme currently has a success rate of approximately 80 percent.
The final stop was Lagoon Marina, home to several marine businesses including Nomad Solutions, Tropical Sail Loft and other industry service providers. Participants were shown a vessel that underwent extensive repairs in St. Maarten after suffering severe damage during Hurricane Irma, highlighting the expertise and ability of local businesses, to complete complex restoration projects.
Following the tour, participants gathered at IGY Marinas Isle de Sol, which hosted the remainder of the event.
The afternoon programme opened with welcome remarks from Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, who also serves as Interim Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA).
A panel discussion followed, focusing on three strategic pillars identified by SMMTA: Human Capital, Economic Development & Competitiveness, and Marine Infrastructure.
The panel included Jesse Peterson, President of SMMTA; Chris Marshall, former SMMTA President and regional marine industry expert; Shervin Frederick, Senior Policy Advisor for the Ministry of TEATT; and Drs. Peggy-Ann Richardson, Division Head of Labor Affairs and Social Services.
Discussions focused on workforce development, education and certification pathways, infrastructure needs, permitting processes, policy alignment and the competitiveness of St. Maarten’s marine sector within the Caribbean region.
Reflecting on the discussions, Peterson highlighted the engagement from participants.
"What stood out most was the quality of the dialogue and the genuine interest shown by participants. The panel discussion generated thoughtful questions and meaningful exchanges between industry professionals, government representatives, and educators. It demonstrated a shared willingness to better understand the challenges facing the sector and to explore practical solutions together. These conversations are essential if we want to continue strengthening the marine industry and the opportunities it creates for the people of St. Maarten," Peterson stated.
Following the panel discussion, participants took part in interactive round table sessions where they analysed industry-related statements and opportunities. Groups identified possible enablers, obstacles, practical solutions and the likelihood of successful implementation.
The discussions provided feedback and generated ideas for future collaboration between government, educational institutions, labour organisations and private sector stakeholders.
The event concluded with a summary of key findings, closing remarks from organisers, and an invitation for marine businesses and employers to participate in the upcoming NESC Job Fair scheduled for September 24, 2026.
Richardson stated: “The future competitiveness of St. Maarten depends not only on the strength of our industry, but on the strength of our people. Through collaboration and continued investment in human capital, we are committed to developing a resilient local workforce and creating sustainable opportunities that benefit our community and future generations.”
Both SMMTA and NESC expressed appreciation to participating businesses, government representatives, educators and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the event.
The Marine Industry Immersion Day forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between the marine industry and public sector partners, ensuring St. Maarten remains competitive as a maritime destination while creating sustainable career pathways and economic opportunities for future generations.
