SXMElections.com

MARIGOT--French-side sea rescue service SNSM will take possession of a lifeboat this coming July to replace the extensively damaged SNSM 129, it was disclosed at a press conference Saturday with Vice-Admiral Jacques de Solms, Inspector General for the national SNSM.

The Vice-Admiral was here in May 2014 and on this occasion made a special visit to announce the good news as well as have meetings with Préfet Philippe Chopin and President Aline Hanson to solicit financial support.

The replacement SNSM 121 "Patron JM Camenen" comes from Brittany and is a reconditioned vessel of 14 metres in length with similar characteristics to SNSM 129 which was driven onto the rocks attempting rescues during Hurricane Gonzalo.

At the same time SNSM 121 is delivered SNSM 129 will be shipped back to France for specialised repairs with a view to putting it back in service in France. An expert's evaluation at the end of December concluded that the vessel should be returned to France. The cost of the two operations was estimated at 150,000 euros but much of this sum has to be raised through the generosity of donors.

"Part of this sum has been raised by donors and service clubs but we are still looking for more," explained Admiral Solms. "If we don't get the full amount SNSM in France will pay the balance as the decision has already been made to send this vessel to St. Martin."

In the meantime SNSM is actively seeking to purchase a second-hand semi-rigid inflatable boat (RIB) in the region of 30 to 50,000 euros to fill the time gap before the replacement vessel arrives. The former RIB was no longer operational.

SNSM Director Jean-Claude van Rymenant acknowledged that currently there is no sea rescue service available, neither on the French side nor Dutch side.

"The two vessels on the Dutch side are waiting for parts which apparently are hard to obtain," van Rymenant explained. "And in St. Barths there is a problem there with not having a full crew but that is expected to be resolved soon. For the moment there is no one who can carry out a rescue mission and that is very regrettable."

Using a private vessel is not an option either as it would not be covered by insurance for rescues.

SNSM normally responds to some 55 call outs per year from Centre Régional Opérationnel de Surveillance et de Sauvetage (CROSS). Since Hurricane Gonzalo, SNSM was unable to respond to 16 distress calls, volunteer Arnaud Bourdier noted.

Van Rymenant reminded the scope of operation SNSM provides includes the islands of Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

It was noted that 15,000 euros has already been raised through the actions of the service clubs (Rotary, Lions etc.) and does not include proceeds from the recent classical concert held in the Catholic Church. The funds have been placed in an account "SOS for SNSM."

The respective presidents of Rotary St. Martin Nord and Lions Club Fort Louis, Thierry Desplanches and Denis Blondel, thanked all the persons who responded to the fundraising campaign. US Embassy Warden Lloyd Tackling was also thanked by the Admiral for his efforts in trying to secure an appropriate vessel from the US Coast Guard.

They disclosed a fund-raising gala will be organised at the Hotel Mercure in March. President of SNSM Jean-Paul Fischer announced a new communication and fund raising campaign will be launched shortly.

Persons wishing to make donations to SNSM can do so at the SNSM offices opposite Fort Louis Marina.