Rules, weather and jurisdictions
Environmental Rules for Yachts in Sint Maarten: Waste, Anchoring and Marine Park Access
Waste reception, lagoon speed and anchoring rules, and the limits around protected areas and dive moorings.
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2 min
Last reviewed
23 July 2026
For
Chief officer · Engineer
Identify every waste stream before requesting collection. Port services, marina acceptance and protected-area rules are separate questions.
Inventory the waste before requesting collection
List black water, grey water, waste oil, oily mixtures, garbage categories, recyclables, batteries, e-waste and other hazardous material. Include estimated quantities, container condition and special handling, then ask the receiving facility what it accepts and what notice or paperwork it requires.
Port St Maarten currently lists waste-oil and black-water removal and glass recycling in Great Bay. That does not mean every berth accepts every stream or that service is available without a booking.
Use the yacht’s environmental procedures
MARPOL Annex V generally prohibits garbage discharge except in defined circumstances and applies to pleasure craft and yachts as well as commercial vessels. Sewage requirements depend on the vessel and situation. Follow the yacht’s approved plans, record-keeping and flag-state requirements rather than relying on a short local guide.
Keep lagoon and marine-park rules separate
SLAC publishes a 5 mph lagoon limit, no-wake expectations near marinas and anchorages, and prohibitions on anchoring in fairways and entrance channels. The Nature Foundation maintains separate rules for the Man of War Shoal Marine Park and its dive moorings.
Within the Man of War Shoal Marine Park, anchoring, fishing, feeding marine life and touching, harassing or removing marine life are prohibited. Visiting divers need tags and vessels using the dive moorings must be registered with the Nature Foundation. Those moorings are not general superyacht moorings.
Check the park boundary, tender activity, diving permissions and vessel authorization before entering protected waters. French-side reserve sites such as Pinel and Tintamarre have their own rules and mooring limits; do not transfer the Dutch-side answer across the border.
Working checklist
Environmental call plan
- Waste streams and estimated quantities listed.
- Approved receiver and service location arranged.
- Hose, connection, access and documentation checked.
- Hazardous items separated and declared.
- MARPOL plans and records ready onboard.
- Lagoon speed, wake and anchoring rules briefed.
- Marine-park boundaries and tender or dive plan checked.
Planning a call?
Send us the vessel details and schedule.
Email the vessel particulars, documents and work list. If timing is tight, give us a call.