[PUP] Theft in St. Maartin, Director of Tourism letter

[Scott Bulger]

Perhaps the following letter sent by hundreds of boaters will impact the
security of the island?


rlabega at megatropic.com

August 12, 2007
Dear Ms. Regina LaBega,

It is my unfortunate task to inform you that my wife and I have decided not
to 
visit St. Maartin this coming year.  We are embarking on a world cruise in
our 
motor yacht and have decided that the state of security in your island
anchorages 
is so poor that we can not tolerate the risk to ourselves and our personal
property.
  
There have been numerous reports on various Internet forums of crime against
sailing 
and power vessels while anchored in St. Maartin.  Efforts to involve local
police 
and coast guard officials have been met with ambivalence.  I am not alone in
this 
decision and I believe you will observe a marked decline in the most
attractive 
members of the cruising community who often spend thousands of dollars while
touring 
your island.  There are numerous other places to go that value visiting
motor yachts 
and their crew.

I sincerely hope you are able to improve the situation in the future,
because I have 
been told your island is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean.
Unfortunately 
it's unlikely significant progress can be made in time for us to change our
plans.

Sincerely,

Scott and Marian Bulger, 
Motor Yacht Alanui, Seattle Washington, U.S.A.