SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - In recent months and in the past year there has been numerous attacks on the heritage of Sint Maarten culture our intangible and our tangible culture. Monument and heritage sites are being tampered with or targeted for destruction, without the proper legal procedures being followed.

On behalf of the Ministry of Education Culture Youth of Sport (MECYS), I, drs. Rodolphe Samuel offers my gratitude to all the people that have been calling in about the situation at the old Simpson Bay Bridge and other heritage sites. I beseech the public to remain vigilant when it comes to our monuments.

Just recently and quite unfortunate the Ministry has been called upon to address numerous ongoing situations such as the illegal renovation works taking place at L ’Escargot Restaurant property, the demolition of an historical ruin in Cole Bay, dumping of debris on the old Simpson Bay Bridge and the destruction of historical boulders at the former Emilio Wilson Plantation property in Cul de Sac.

“These are people who have been received with open arms yet fail to respect the very island that offers them a safe haven and sustenance. Our very own Sint Maarten people have been irresponsible with regards to our cultural traditions and monuments.

“We have to bring value to our heritage and culture, and I hereby remind and request the public to continue to be vigilant and alert. If you see something, do call the Ministry of Education Culture Youth and Sport immediately 520-5340.

“I am urging all residents, visitors, and citizens that have a love for Sint Maarten to join the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport in its mission to safeguard the tangible and intangible Cultural Heritage of the people of Sint Maarten. We cannot do this without you, although our resources may be limited, our will is strong! Each of us must do our part in preserving what is ours for the future generations to come,” says Minster of ECYS drs. Rodolphe Samuel.

CULTURE, TRADITONS, and HERITAGE is everyone’s business. Yours, Mines, Everyone!

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that our history is preserved for the next generation.

We need our partners. We need alliances in the community to be extra vigilant with our trees, with our stonewalls, with our buildings, our wells, our traditions.

We are thankful to all of those who have been calling the Department of Culture and ministry to report on the destructions of relevant historical sites.

We ask for your continued support to be vigilant to pay attention.

There is a monument ordinance and process and procedures in place.

There are laws in place, fines, and jail time for individuals and or companies and organizations that violate our cultural patrimony.

The following is the process when applying for a monument permit.

Requests for obtaining a Monument Permit in accordance with the National Monument Ordinance (Monumenten Landsverordening, AB 2013, GT no. 336)

It is prohibited to touch a registered monument without a license from the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, or violate any of the conditions laid down in such a license in whole or in part if it involves:

• breaking down or moving.
• destroying or damaging.
• alteration in any fashion.
• restoration, usage or allowed usage in a manner whereby the registered monument is defaced or put at risk.

A permit as referred to above must be requested in writing addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (Soualiga Blvd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten). The Minister decides on the request within six months after receipt of the written submission. In the event a decision is not taken within six months and the applicant is not notified or informed of such, the request shall be deemed to have been granted.

Even if a historical site or artifact is uncovered, you are required by law to report this to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.

To determine whether a project requires a monument permit, the applicant can submit attached monument permit request form. For more detailed information containing general conditions please refer to the National Ordinance containing general conditions on Monuments by the Government of Sint Maarten which can be found on https://lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl/CVDR319628/2.  

As minister responsible for monuments, I am hereby reminding the public of the monument ordinance and the requirement of the license prior to works being done on a monument.

The further destruction of our heritage will not be tolerated, and anyone seen violating the articles of the monument ordinance will face legal consequences.

Once again, we thank you for your continued support. If you're going to do any excavations and you come across something in question. Contact the department of culture or VROMI inspection. They in turn will call the relevant experts.

“Only together we can save our cultural heritage!”

SINT MAARTEN (POINT BLANCHE) – 20 stevedores working for St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV (SSS), completed six-days of training carried out by the Institute for Industrial Solutions (IIS) led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Trainer Osric Forrest, and Technical Expert/Assessor Radcliffe Spence.

The certificates were presented by Lilian Hohl, CMA CGM local area representative in the presence of George Pelgrim, President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring. CMA CGM is the third largest shipping company in the world and one of the port’s biggest customers.

Each stevedore has successfully completed training and assessment activities and retained the required knowledge and competencies as outlined in The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Safety Standard 29 CFR 1910-178 guidelines for General Industry and Stevedoring Foundation Skills Training Standards.

Each stevedore was awarded with a certificate of competence in Stevedoring Foundation Skills – Level 1; a certificate of training in Fundamentals of OHS for Maritime Port Operations; and a certificate of training in Lashing and Unlashing Operations.

Businessman George Pelgrim President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV said he is very proud of what the seasoned Stevedores have been able to accomplish. The initiative came from Pelgrim in collaboration with the Institute for Industrial Solutions for a program that would ‘Create the Total Port Worker.’

The training started on April 5 and concluded on April 10.

“This newly forged relationship between IIS for workforce development solutions and performance management and SSS is designed to further improve the company’s performance and adhere to international standards, main high employee morale, and create a long-term formal structure for training, employee development, and talent management along with leadership development in the areas that we provide services in such as maritime transportation, warehousing, and distribution.

“This training and workforce development is part of Intermar Group of Companies long term strategic plan to increase investment in human resource care and development thus creating a sustainable workforce which is part and parcel of our national human resource advancement,” Pelgrim said.

Maritime transportation and allied services play a vital role in ensuring citizen satisfaction, tourism product development and efficient service standards delivery across St. Maarten.

One key factor that can significantly impact the success of maritime services is investing in training and development of employees at all levels. Equipping the country’s port worker with the necessary attitude, skills and knowledge, businesses can enhance their overall customer experience, meet international standards, realize business continuity, and drive long-term success.

“We have really been making an effort to improve Port, Maritime, Transportation, Logistics, Warehousing and Distribution service offered across the region,” said Forrest. “Our aim is to provide ongoing training, assessment and certification for the entire industry, objective is to keep the Caribbean Region operations at International Standard.”

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - M. Ramone Bain “Keeper of the Famed” as called by the Washington post arrived in St. Maarten on Wednesday 10 April 2024 as keynote speaker for the Women in Leadership Fundraising Gala to be held on Saturday 13th of April 2024 at the Belair Community Center.

Angelique Romou & A Betta Place Foundation, a foundation started with the mission to create a better place for the people of Sint Maarten through community initiatives that touch and change the lives of its citizens, in their plight to continue to empower women on Sint Maarten and give back to the young female generation hosts its second Women in Leadership fundraising Gala on Saturday April 13, 2024, from 7:00 pm.

The Women in Leadership Fundraising Gala is an evening filled with inspirational women, a group of motivating panelists, guest speakers and female entertainers that will leave the attendees, inspired, and motivated to become all that they have ever dreamed to be.

Success stories, stories of the never-ending climb and all the good and not good times that lead to success. Women in attendance can expect great conversation, meaningful discussions, networking, entertainment, and a four-course dinner, all for a very worthy cause.

The funds raised at this event is all aimed at empowering women and girls and goes back into the community towards women-focused initiatives. This year the event will raise money for young girls to attend an all-expense paid trip to a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) summer program in the US.

This year the focus is on the Arts. Therefore, through this Gala, we will be providing young girls on the island, who have an interest and/or show a raw talent in STEAM, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics) to have an opportunity to be exposed to advanced opportunities in the STEAM field.

The A Betta Place Foundation has fostered a Partnership with Bowie State University and the Charlotte Brookson academy of the Performing Arts, so that the girls can travel to Bowie State University in Maryland from July 1-July 10, 2024.

The students chosen for the Arts will be attending workshops in at least 4 art forms namely: * Dance * Drama * Visual Arts (digital media, animations, drawing and painting) * Music (instrument, voice, marching band).

The students will be getting a full-on college experience by sleeping on campus in dorms and eating in the cafeteria, also part of the experience will be a tour of all national landmarks in Washington DC.

All activities will close out with a recital in the Dionne Warwick Theater located on the Bowie State University campus where students will display all they have learned throughout the week.

This year’s highlight and keynote speaker is none other than – Ms. Raymone K. Bain, referred to as “Keeper of the Famed” by the Washington Post. She is the Founder/Chairman, of the Raymone K. Bain Companies, LLC, she is a Media and Management Strategist, Social Justice Advocate, Philanthropist and recent recipient of the 2023 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the 46th President of the United States of America, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and also recipient of the 2016 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

Ms. Bain is a trailblazer, she is one of the first women in the US to own a sports Management firm, and the first African American woman to personally represent professional boxers.

These included boxing champions: Muhammad Ali, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, and Mike Tyson. Ms. Bain was Tennis GOAT, Serena Williams, and the Williams family’s very first publicist and spokesperson, and represented Ms. Williams in this capacity for over seven years.

In addition to Serena Williams, Ms. Bain also represented sports Hall-of-Famers and All-Stars, Dominique Wilkins, Dave Parker, Eric Davis, Darryl Strawberry, and Deion Sanders, now an award-winning college football coach. Count the late “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson; Iconic comedian Richard Pryor.

The Estate of Sammy Davis, Jr.; International Award-winning Pop icon Janet Jackson; 12-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/producer, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. Award-winning television personality and iconic comedian, Steve Harvey; and award-winning, singing group Boyz II Men, among a long list of her high-profile, legendary, and trailblazing clients Ms. Bain will also be doing a school Tour where she will visit high schools to talk to talk to the students about the industries of sports and entertainment.

Important to note is that the Women in Leadership Gala “WILG” event is not only for women in leadership positions but women who are leading by breaking barriers in their respective areas, going against the conventional way of thinking and paving the way for others to follow, Women taking up their role in their households and communities to lead by example.

Last year’s event was a huge success and left women wanting more as a matter of fact we also want to encourage men to attend because the men who attended last year were all impressed by the power and depth of all the women who participated.

This fundraising event is not one to be missed as we empower, inspire, and ignite flames for all women. Call +1721 522-4559 or +1721 528-6006 for tickets and remember the date Saturday 13 April 2024 at the Belair Community Center.

SINT MAARTEN (POINT BLANCHE) – In order to satisfy the demands of one of the port’s biggest customers CMA CGM, businessman George Pelgrim President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring (SSS), considered the premier stevedoring services company on the island, has started a program that would ‘Create the Total Port Worker’ in cooperation with the Jamaican based Institute for Industrial Solutions (IIS) led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Trainer Osric Forrest, and Technical Expert/Assessor Radcliffe Spence.

A stevedore is an occupation where individuals oversee the loading and offloading of cargo to and/or from a ship in port. Stevedores work with heavy machinery while other related work is performed manually where the use of machinery is not required.

Stevedores are the interface between land and sea, where both the speed of cargo handling and the efficiency of the cargo ship voyage, depends upon their skills.

Currently 20-employees of SSS are participating in a workforce development program being administered by IIS. The training started on Friday, April 5 and concludes on Wednesday, April 10 with the distribution of certificates to the participants.

Stevedores perform a very important task once a cargo ship docks at the quay by loading or unloading cargo, which is then trucked to various businesses on the island for consumer consumption.

Pelgrim, a pioneer in the island’s shipping and maritime sector for more than 40-years, said on Sunday that since the advent of containerized shipping, the process has advanced with the use of an entire range of cargo handling gear. Stevedoring has evolved without a doubt due to containerization, Pelgrim added.

“This is the first time that SSS is training its seasoned employees where at the end of it, they will be internationally certified as stevedores. This is a first for St. Maarten. As a member of the Caribbean Shipping Association, and monitoring developments at the Caribbean Maritime Institute, we keep track of trends and developments, and as a stevedoring company, we need to keep pace with those international advances that come from ports and shipping companies.

“Our already seasoned stevedores will be on the same level as their Caribbean colleagues. Stevedores are skilled experts in what they do and play an increasingly important role on which we depend for efficient shipping processes. Ports need to be efficient to minimize port time and get the cargo ship back on its journey as soon as possible.

“This is just the beginning for the Intermar Group of Companies, of a relationship to further expand workforce development solutions for the maritime sector.  We will provide certification for our warehouse staff, heavy equipment operators, and maintenance division which ensures overall customer satisfaction due to the principles of efficiency and effectiveness,” George Pelgrim concluded.  

St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV was founded on June 23, 1985, with the sole aim to provide high quality port terminal stevedoring, trucking and other related cargo and maritime services to cargo lines serving port St. Maarten.

St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV is at present the largest inland container haulage transport company in St. Maarten/St. Martin providing round the clock container and heavy equipment delivery service to its customers.

The SSS fleet consists of heavy-duty Granite Mack and Boxloader container Tractor Trucks supported by a fleet of over 150 units of its own SSS 20 and 40FT container chassis fleet.