The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association recently presented St. Maarten Sea Rescue Foundation with a check for $2500 to assist the foundation with their future goals to ensure that they can continue to provide sea rescue operations.The St. Maarten Sea Rescue Foundation (SSRF) was established in 1982 and has been providing rescue services for vessels off of the coast of St. Maarten. The SSRF is a volunteer organization and is able to carry out life- saving operations due to the generosity of various organizations and individuals as well as the dedication and hard work or their volunteers. Today, the SRF comprises 14 active members who are operating the foundation's two rescue vessels under just about any sea and weather conditions.
The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association during the months of November and December held their annual Spotlight St. Maarten event which is a month- long celebration of education and recreation geared toward the promotion of yachting on St. Maarten. The goal of the SMMTA– the organizers of Spotlight St. Maarten - is to showcase the island, offer residents exposure to the marine industry and the SMMTA, and to encourage vessels to come to the region earlier by providing discounts, educational seminars, and highlighting recreational and cultural events on St. Maarten/St. Martin and the surrounding islands.
The SMMTA commends the St. Maarten Sea Rescue Foundation for providing a very valuable necessary service to sailors and passengers who find themselves in danger in our surrounding waters. The SSRF has saved many people and even animals from life- threatening situations on a voluntary basis and therefore the SMMTA feels it is of the utmost importance to support them, said SMMTA President Brian Deher. The funds were raised through a raffle and silent auction that were held during Spotlight St. Maarten's V.I.P Event featuring Orange Grove and G Love at Yacht Club Isle de Sol. Some items from the silent auction included a new Blackberry Torch from UTS, beautiful pearl jewelry sets from Diamonds International and a hotel stay at L'Esplanade. Other items that were raffled were spa and beauty treatments at various spas and salons on the island, a half- day fishing charter, airline tickets on LIAT and a Magnum of Rose.
The SMMTA is very happy with the success of the first- ever Spotlight St. Maarten and are proud to present the St. Maarten Sea Rescue Foundation with a donation. Their hope is that the 2012 Spotlight St. Maarten will be even more successful and can provide additional opportunities for work with charitable causes.
