POND ISLAND:---Called the Caribbean Multihull Challenge-St. Maarten, next February, the country will add a new sailing event to its annual calendar of events.
The St. Maarten Yacht Club (SYC) – founders of the Sint Maarten Heineken Regatta in 1980 – announced recently that the premier of Caribbean Multihull Challenge-St. Maarten will be from 8th, 9th, and 10th of February 2019.
The Caribbean Multihull Challenge-St. Maarten - open only to multihulls - regatta and festival will become a staple in competitive racing in the brilliant waters surrounding Dutch Sint Maarten and French St. Martin according to SYC.
According to SYC, back in the 1950’s St. Maarten was the birthplace of multihull sailing in the Caribbean with inspired designs from Peter Spronk.
Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever, said that the new sailing event will further cement the country as a premier regional sailing destination.

“I take this opportunity to commend the St. Maarten Yacht Club for their out of the box thinking and adding to the sailing regatta experience that the country is well known for when we look at the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.
“This will attract additional visitors to the destination, and today it is all about rediscovering the destination for sailors and visitors. I encourage other groups and organizations to think outside the box and be innovative in order to help our country grow again by offering new tourism-oriented experiences,” Minister Cornelius de Weever said early Friday morning.

~Businesses and residents urged to insure their properties and businesses adequately.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Speakers at the Governor’s Symposium that spoke on the topic “Climate Change and Small Islands States ~~ A call for strategic Action~ pointed out that Climate Change has already affected the weather patterns globally and most recently the Caribbean Islands. Derek Downes Managing Director of the Windward Islands Bank call on property owners and businesses to adequately insure their properties. Downes said people should not under insure their businesses to save on insurance premiums but instead they should make sure they even insure for business interruption. Downes made his statements after it was clearly outlined that the Caribbean Islands will have to deal with fiercer weather conditions due to Climate Change. Downes also explained that St. Maarten suffered $2.1B in damages due to hurricane Irma that ravaged the island on September 6th 2017. He said government has to ensure that building codes are followed while proper planning has to be made to deal the disruption caused by natural disasters.
Dr. Michael Taylor, Deputy Dean Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of West Indies in his presentation showed that there is enough evidence to show that the Caribbean Islands will have stronger hurricanes in the future due to the Climate Change. He said that governments must take the necessary the steps and to adapt to the changes in order to better prepare for natural disasters.
Based on science he said that the islands will suffer from longer droughts, and less rain during the rainy season while hurricanes will be as strong as hurricane Irma or stronger. Low lying areas will disappear due to the rise in sea levels, the ports, airports, and other areas on St. Maarten will vanish while Lowlands will be a separte island, therefore governments must ensure that proper infrastructure is in place to deal with the aftermath of the natural disasters. Dr. Taylor said that Climate Change has already taken place and it will get worst year after year. He said due to the changes even agriculture in the Caribbean will be severely affected.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Kenrick Leslie, Director of Caribbean Community Climate Change Center called on governments to take example from Barbuda, Aruba and the British Virgin Islands whom he said have what is required to deal with the aftermath of natural disasters. He said government has to do more to desalinate water, use more of green energy (solar power) and to ensure that SMART hospitals are built because the weather conditions will not get any better due to Climate Change.
Dr. Leslie said that there is enough evidence to show that the weather conditions will not improve for the better but instead due to Climate Change there will stronger hurricanes in the future therefore governments must work ensure that a disaster fund is in place, adapting building codes that will be climate change resilient, encourage solar generating power, while preparing schools that could operate during and after any disaster. He said that a Trust Fund should also be established similarly to that of the British Virgin Islands.

Other speakers at the symposium includes host Governor Eugene Holiday, Interim Prime Minister Leona Marlin Romeo, and Dr. Cedric van Meerbeeck.

PHILIPSBURG(DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is calling on those who plan to travel to the 2018 FIFA World Cup during the next four weeks to ensure that the are up-to-date with all their vaccinations, including the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). The 2018 World Cup will be hosted by Russia between June 14 and July 15. The vaccine would also be good for those who travel to other countries around the world.

CPS, a department of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour appeals to the general population in line with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation to get vaccinated and ensure that their vaccination status is up to date.

The increase in international travel and the mass movement of people during events such as the World Cup increases the risk of transmission of diseases.

It also increases the likelihood of travelers returning to their countries with diseases such as measles, which is highly contagious and can have grave consequences on the health of unvaccinated populations, according to PAHO/WHO.

Last year, the number of new cases of measles in Europe quadrupled, infecting 22,360 people and leading to 36 deaths. In the first three months of 2018, Europe reported more than 18,000 cases of measles.

It is recommended for travelers to take preventive measures, prior, during and after to mitigate the contracting of any infectious diseases, which one can import upon return.

If a person is experiencing symptoms upon their travel return, it is requested that the person consults their physician for proper diagnosis and reporting where applicable. Let us collectively strengthen our defense against infectious diseases.

France, Greece, Serbia and Ukraine are the countries with the highest number of cases. Russia reported more than 600 cases.

Around one million people from all over the world are expected to travel to the World Cup. Of the 32 countries that will participate in the World Cup, 28 have reported cases of measles this year.

Vaccines help your immune system fight more than 20 dangerous diseases. From the time we’re born, vaccines offer protection to help individuals stay healthy throughout their entire lives.

Evidence continues to show that vaccination is one of the safest, most cost-effective ways to prevent diseases and death.

Within the Region, many countries are on alert for Measles. Measles is a serious and contagious disease caused by a virus and is spread from person to person through the air. It can cause pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and even death. Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles.

For MMR vaccines and to check your vaccination coverage, children under the age of 18 can consult or check with Youth Health Care and the Baby Clinic at the Vineyard Office Park, and all other age categories should check their vaccination coverage prior to travel by consulting with their physician.

For more information call CPS at 542-3003 or 542-3553.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB) is searching for qualified and professional photographers and videographers that can capture the true essence of St. Maarten, its people and its culture in a creative and unique manner.

The photos and videos should also capture the experimental aspect of vacationing on St. Maarten as much as possible tapping into the emotional aspect of the viewer.

“The tourism industry is ever evolving and the times of hiring large expensive companies to come down to the islands and do photography and videography also has changed.

“We have great local talent that can capture the true essence of our beautiful St. Maarten/St. Martin," says Interim Head of Tourism May-Ling Chun.

All interested persons should contact Wendy Doran York at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call tel. 549-0200.