PHILIPSBURG--The management of the Port of St. Maarten said the facility is prepared to assist government with the process of pumping water from the Great Salt Pond into Great Bay.
Public health authorities on Monday night issued a “no swim” advisory for the Great Bay area for Tuesday which was lifted at 5:30pm. The Port said this impacted business activity along the beach promenade area which is frequented by cruise ship visitors.
The Port said its Great Bay Master Plan 2 includes the construction of a pipe that would be hooked up to the storm water pumping system put in place to reduce water levels in the pond in the event of heavy rainfall. This is to avoid flooding of the Philipsburg area.
The proposed pipe would extend one mile out into Great Bay. In the event the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI has to carry out a control lowering of water in the ponds, this water would then exit one mile out into Great Bay therefore allowing bathing/swimming to still take place at Great Bay Beach along the promenade, the Port said in a press release.
The release said the experience of cruise visitors is important for a destination as this determines cruise ship itineraries. The Port said it supports the actions taken by the public health authorities in issuing the advisory against bathing/swimming in Great Bay in the interests of residents and visitors.
“As a mature cruise destination, all stakeholders have a responsibility to make sure that visitor’s health and safety are priority number one, as this assures long-term sustainability of the destination when it comes to stay-over and cruise tourism.”
The Port said it is aware of the requirements of the cruise sector and takes the necessary approaches and measures where needed to maintain the country’s top position as a mature cruise destination.
The Port’s Great Bay Master Plan 2 was presented to Parliament.
