PHILIPSBURG:--- Five taxi associations operating in the Southern half of the island have proposed a change to the existing tariffs, according to them, “due to the increased cost of living and inflation.”
In a letter to the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, the associations stated that the proposed amendments to the current tariffs are also to “synchronize tariffs with the Frenchside Taxi Association which is presently in negotiations to increase their tariffs.”
“We met last week to discuss, among other things, their proposal to change the current tariffs for different districts,” Heyliger-Marten said. “At this point, the proposal is being handled by the Ministry and I can’t take a decision on it yet until I receive the necessary advice.”
The Minister, however, noted that the sector is “overly saturated,” with the previous administration increasing the number of taxi licenses from 385 to 521.
President of the Airport Taxi Association, Andrew Royer, informed his membership that the meeting with Minister Heyliger-Marten “was fruitful.” He said the agenda points discussed also included “improvement of the working environment” and “future plans for the Taxi Associations.”
Some highlights of the proposal from the five taxi associations include the “reintroduction of fares to the French side, which should mirror the current tariffs of the French Taxi Associations.”
According to the associations, the last updated tariff change was in March 2022.
The proposal also calls for the “ride-sharing” initiative to be “permanently abolished due to its impracticability.”
Furthermore, the taxi associations want the tariff layout to be formatted on one page for easier visibility and legibility to guests and tourists, instead of being published in multiple pages. They would also like to implement a minimum US$10 tariff within districts (e.g. from Cole Bay to Cole Bay, etc.)
Representatives of the following associations signed the proposal: the Airport Taxi Association, Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association, Down Town Taxi Association, Maho Taxi Association, and Divi Taxi Services.

PHILIPSBURG:---   In a heartwarming display of gratitude, St. Maarten Academy's Class of 2004 donated generously to their alma mater and honored faculty and staff who helped to shape their character and careers. The jovial group of alumni relished the fact that some of their outstanding teachers are still shaping lives at the Academy.

During a brief ceremony on the school’s premises on Friday, July 5, 2024, the alumni presented a monetary donation to replace the school's signage, which was destroyed during Hurricane Irma in 2017. They also revealed that they are spearheading a GoFundMe fundraiser where all St. Maarten Academy alumni can contribute to the acquisition of air conditioning units for the school at https://gofund.me/890b73cf.

Speaking on behalf of the school's management team, Acting Principal Ms. Joanna Trim responded to the kind gesture, "We were hoping that somebody would come along to assist us as we make preparations for the return of students in August, and it is so good to see that this alumni class has. I know that our students will be grateful for it." During her remarks on behalf of the Foundation for Academic and Vocational Education (FAVE) board, drs. Tallulah Baly-Vanterpool, Interim Executive Director of the board, said, "It always warms our hearts when alumni reach back and pay it forward. You are setting the example for every other student to come''. The class of 2004’s alumnus, Mr. Darren Wilson, shared that the donations were the result of the class's fundraising efforts as a token of appreciation for their alma mater.

The Class of 2004 acknowledged the names of their former principals, all teachers, and auxiliary staff. Among the honourees present were former principal Mrs. Patricia Lourens, former teachers Dr. Velda James, Mrs. Barbara Nicholls, Mr. Wellington Archibald, Ms. Yvonne Johns, Mr. Armand Teunis, Drs. Tallulah Baly-Vanterpool, who then served as the head of the Department of Student Care, current head Mrs. Amanda President-Joé, and Mr. David James, the Documentation Center Attendant and Courier.

The alumni who currently serve locally and internationally in various professional fields, including education, hospitality, medicine, law, finance, accounting and engineering, acknowledged not only the role that the St. Maarten Academy played in their educational foundation but also the timeless values and principles that the faculty and staff instilled in them. The ceremony culminated with a rousing, impromptu rendition of the school song by attendees.

The FAVE Board, Management, and staff of the St. Maarten Academy are grateful to the Class of 2004 for their generous contribution and look forward to their continued collaboration as the Class of 2004 truly embodies the school's motto of "Caring, Learning, Achieving and Excelling."

The Dutch naval ship HNLMS Groningen intercepted a drug transport for the sixth time in a short time. In the Caribbean Sea, the patrol ship managed to stop a fast drug boat with eight people on board. The ship intercepted 228 kilograms of cocaine. The catch was on June 26 but was announced today.
On the night of June 25 to 26, the Dash-8 patrol plane of the Caribbean Coast Guard spotted a drug boat (go-fasts) in the Caribbean Sea. HNLMS Groningen was already in the area then and immediately took action. The Navy ship gave chase using its US Coast Guard helicopter and two fast FRISC interceptor vessels. The Fleet Marine Squadron and the US Coast Guard were on these interceptor boats. The drug boat was intercepted after a chase, supported by the Dash-8 patrol aircraft. The eight suspected smugglers and the 228 kilos of seized cocaine have been handed over to the US Coast Guard.
Station ship
With this interception, HNLMS Groningen already has six intercepted drug transports since its presence in the Caribbean at the beginning of April 2024. The ship is used, among other things, for counter-drug operations. This is done alternately in collaboration with the American Coast Guard and the Caribbean Coast Guard.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands:---  During this week, CCRIF will make payouts to the Government of Grenada totalling about US$44 million (EC$118 million) following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which totally devastated 90 per cent of all buildings – the airport, marinas, gas stations, the hospital and homes – on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique – two of the sister islands that comprise the State of Grenada.

There was also significant damage to the agriculture sector as well as the natural environment, including mangrove ecosystems. Electric utilities, mainly the transmission and distribution systems on both islands, also were significantly damaged. The north of mainland Grenada was also not spared the wrath of Hurricane Beryl, with damage to homes, the agriculture and forestry sectors, and electric utility transmission and distribution and water distribution systems.

The Board and Management of CCRIF extend deepest condolences to the Government and people of Grenada for the loss of life, property and livelihoods due to this powerful storm. CCRIF is well aware of the impacts on other CCRIF member countries in the region and extend sympathies to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica for the lives lost in those countries.

All CCRIF policies for Grenada triggered.

The table below shows the payouts that will be made to the Government of Grenada, the policies triggered and the perils covered.

 CCRIF’s parametric insurance policies make payments based on the intensity of an event and the amount of loss calculated in a pre-agreed model caused by these events. The payout to Grenada on its tropical cyclone (TC) policy is the single largest payout by CCRIF. Until now, Haiti had the single largest payout from CCRIF, having received just under US$40 million, following the 2021 earthquake.

CCRIF currently offers 6 parametric insurance products – for tropical cyclones, excess rainfall, earthquakes, and the fisheries, electric utilities and water utilities sectors. According to CCRIF CEO, Isaac Anthony, “These payouts represent Grenada’s first payouts from CCRIF. I commend the Government of Grenada, which has always maintained that despite not receiving a payout, it understood the importance of financially protecting the economy in case a disaster strikes, as it would never want to see a repeat of Hurricane Ivan”.

Mr. Anthony, in reflecting on Beryl, further stated that “countries ought to treat parametric insurance for natural hazards like they treat health insurance. We buy health insurance because it is important to help safeguard our lives. However, we hope we do not need it but when we do, we have the peace of mind that it could help us deal with a more serious illness than a common cold. Similarly, we do not want to be negatively impacted by natural hazards and be faced with natural disasters. However, in the case of CCRIF’s parametric insurance, the moment we really need it, it is available within 14 days of a triggering event. CCRIF’s parametric insurance must be seen as a key component in helping countries to build back better and stronger to withstand future natural hazards, especially within the context of climate change”.

Hurricane Beryl seems very reminiscent of Hurricane Ivan 20 years ago, which impacted 9 Caribbean islands. Beryl impacted a similar number of countries, creating much destruction along its path. The impacts of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 brought into sharp focus among Caribbean governments, the need for quick liquidity following a natural disaster – quick liquidity to meet immediate needs of the population even before considerations of reconstruction and redevelopment begin. CCRIF and the introduction of parametric insurance in the Caribbean were born out of Hurricane Ivan. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 resulted in Grenada and the Cayman Islands each suffering economic losses which totalled 200 per cent of their annual GDP, with a further seven countries also severely impacted. Regional losses due to Ivan totalled over US$6 billion.

There are, however, several important differences today compared to 2004. Countries such as Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica now all have access to liquidity from CCRIF within 14 days of the impacts of Beryl to begin the recovery efforts.

Parametric insurance is not debt relief and does not add to a country’s debt stock. CCRIF has demonstrated that catastrophe risk insurance can effectively provide a level of financial protection for countries vulnerable to natural disasters. Parametric insurance products are a key component in a country’s disaster risk financing (DRF) strategy and are designed to pre-finance short-term liquidity. CCRIF’s parametric insurance is helping to close the protection gap, reduce budget volatility, and allow countries to respond quicky to their most pressing needs, including providing support to the most vulnerable in their populations.

Since its inception in 2007, and prior to Beryl, CCRIF made 65 payouts totalling US$274 million to 17 members. CCRIF is expected to make 10 payouts under Beryl totalling over US$75 million in the next few days thereby taking payouts to approximately US$350 million.

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will receive US$1.8 million, and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago will receive US$372,752 for the impacts of Beryl on Tobago. Jamaica will also receive payouts, and these will be communicated later this week. Coverage can be purchased from CCRIF of up to US$150 million per peril. CCRIF was never set up to cover all the losses on the ground. So, while these payouts may not cover all rebuilding costs, all recipient governments express appreciation for the rapid infusion of liquidity, which they use to address immediate priorities.

Twenty years after Hurricane Ivan, the Caribbean remains at high risk from the increasing severity, frequency, unpredictability and variability in hydro-meteorological hazards such as storms, rainfall and even drought and heat – all exacerbated by climate change – as well as earthquakes and other seismic hazards. The countries of the region continue to build resilience and engage in comprehensive disaster risk management. Importantly though, the Caribbean and Central America are now financially protected against these hazards – not only through CCRIF and its parametric insurance, but also through the adoption of a variety of disaster risk financing instruments. CCRIF continues to engage in dialogue with its members about the importance of having in place a suite of DRF instruments that can address the range of hazards to which the countries in the region are exposed as well as to anticipate new and emerging risks.