Pointe Blanche:--- The St. Maarten Harbor Holding Company is busy trying to find the necessary finances to repair pier 1 which is badly damaged due to constant hurricanes announced Deputy Prime Minister Theodore Heyliger. The Deputy Prime Minister said there is need for 10 million dollars to repair pier 1 before it collapses. Heyliger said that measures were taken to make sure there is no further damage but they need to get the monies to revamp the entire pier since that is the main pier that houses four cruise ships. Heyliger said the engineers did the assessment and they have determined that pier 1 has been severely damaged and they indicated that the entire top might have to be removed and replaced since the island would lose the entire pier should another major hurricane hit the island. He said should that happen it would be catastrophic for the business community and its economic activity. Heyliger said while the estimated cost might be 10 million dollars, that can increase to 15 million, this he said will be in conjunction with the loans they have with the cruise lines. Heyliger said while they are seeking the necessary finances, they are also looking for quality repairs to pier 1 so that St. Maarten would get more years out of its investment. The Minister said another aspect that is being explored is how St. Maarten would be able to keep its commitments with its cruise partners since they have signed a 20-year contract with these cruise lines.The Minister said discussions will now have to take place to see how they could move forward with the much needed repairs. The engineers he said are also looking to see how they can carry out the necessary repair work since St. Maarten is already in its hurricane season.