Planning a yacht call in hurricane season

Use forecasts to understand the hazards

The Meteorological Department St Maarten identifies the Atlantic hurricane season as 1 June to 30 November. Its local advisories belong alongside port, marina and government instructions in the yacht’s information plan. For French-side activity, follow the relevant Météo-France and local-authority notices as well.

A track cone represents uncertainty about the path of a storm’s centre. It is not the boundary of damaging weather. The US National Weather Service explanation makes that distinction explicit. For a vessel, wind, sea conditions, rainfall and the time required to complete a movement matter beyond a single line or shaded shape on a map.

Keep the issue time with each briefing and distinguish a seasonal outlook from a forecast for the call. A generally quieter season does not establish that a particular berth, itinerary or week will avoid a disruptive system.

Setting an action deadline

A latest departure time has to include the preparations that precede it. If the yacht needs fuel, released documents and a bridge movement, the decision to leave must be made early enough to complete all three. A yard option similarly depends on actual acceptance and a feasible haul-out, rather than the presence of a boatyard on the island.

Agree who makes the decision and who needs the resulting instruction. The captain, owner or manager, shore team and any designated person ashore need a consistent understanding of the chosen action. Record the vessel-specific forecast triggers, alternative destination or facility, and the point at which remaining arrangements will be cancelled or changed.

Insurance conditions belong in this advance review because they can affect location, dates, preparation and evidence requirements. Establish the terms and required evidence for the actual policy before committing to the seasonal plan.

The lagoon’s limits as a storm shelter

The French-side protocol published by the Port of Saint-Martin on 17 July 2025 describes a mooring prohibition from orange cyclone alert, including French territorial waters in the lagoon. Its storm-access arrangements require confirmed haul-out and supporting documents. That is a materially different plan from entering the lagoon to remain afloat.

Use that published protocol to raise the right questions before the season, then confirm the instructions in force for the actual event and jurisdiction. The normal timetable does not establish that an emergency bridge movement will remain available, and French-side arrangements should not be transferred to a Dutch-side berth.

Planning for the people aboard

Sint Maarten’s government preparedness guidance urges early boat preparation and says not to ride out a hurricane aboard. Arrange where crew and guests will go, how they will get there and who will hold the contact and document information if communications are interrupted.

Include the resulting shore requirements in a Sea Grapes planning brief while there is time to coordinate them. After the event, a weather improvement is not proof that access, utilities or the berth are usable. Wait for the relevant return instructions and establish the condition of the facility before planning the next movement.