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There is a new bridge across the lagoon to the airport. Called the causeway bridge, it opens for both directions 15 minutes before before the outbound Dutch bridge opening. and 15 minutes after the inbound opening. Call causeway bridge on VHF 12 just before opening time These times are subject to change.
The cruiser's net now meets on VHF 10 at 7:30am
The Dutch Bridge now costs considerably more to pay for the widening. In addition, there is a weekly fee for anchoring in the Lagoon. Naturally, the cruisers are all entering and then passing through to the French side and checking in at the Capitanerie at Marina Royale. Check-ins are 5Euro. If you check in in Marigot, there are fees for anchoring in the Marigot Bay. Shrimpy's has moved to the cut near the French Bridge and no longer serves more than snacks. He still does laundry, bottom cleaning, boat jumble sale and general cruiser hanging out.
There is a great deal of controversy over the state of the widened Dutch Bridge. Cracks have been discovered. Lagoonies is now a marina but they still have a laundromat. Shrimpie is serving as the cruising community center and is running the morning VHF net and doing most of the laundry. Free internet. Beer and a fabulous serving of Fish or Shrimp.A s always, bustling with activity and the best prices for boat stuff in the islands. Bobby's marina is the helpful cruiser marina. Don't be too worried about the jet traffic, they have the best marine tradesmen and nicest bunch of people in the lagoon. |
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| St. Martin Yacht Club at the Dutch Bridge, Sint Maarten, DWI |
Simpson Bay Lagoon is a huge mangrove swamp enterable by sailboats only via the Dutch Bridge which is only opened a few times a day (see below). This is the main boating center for the entire Caribbean sea and the place where many mega-yachts hang out when their owners are not aboard. When the owners arrive, they leave the services and bars of Simpson Bay and head for the more genteel anchorages at Anguilla or St. Barts.
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| Operator VHF CH12 |
| December to April (daily) |
| 8:30am out |
9:30am in |
10:30am out |
11:30am in |
3:00pm in |
4:00pm out |
5:00pm in |
| May to November (daily) |
| 9:30am |
11:30am |
5:30pm |
5:30pm |
Out and Inbound |
| Bridge Operator VHF CH16 (590) 87 20 43 |
| Outbound before inbound - all openings for both directions |
| 9:00am |
Closed Sundays and holidays |
5:00pm |
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| Click here for the bridge times as given by the marina | >
The Dutch bridge carries all the traffic to and from the airport and is opened once in the morning and once in the evening. Naturally, they do not let you dwadle.
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| The pack following Eaux Vives in under the Dutch Bridge |
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| The Dutch bridge opening. |
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| "Witch's Tit", a landmark in the Simpson Bay Lagoon |
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| Beach at northern end. |
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| Ahmen Mattress factory will deliver your custom mattress to the dock |
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