Emergency contacts for yacht crew

Keep the jurisdictions clear

The Government of Sint Maarten publishes the Dutch-side police, ambulance and fire numbers above. The Coast Guard separately confirms 913 for emergencies within its Dutch Caribbean area, including Sint Maarten. French Saint-Martin’s Collectivité directs emergency calls for ambulance, fire or gendarmerie to 112. Save the numbers with those labels, particularly if crew regularly cross the island.

The hospital’s ordinary telephone line serves a different purpose. Sint Maarten General Hospital lists +1 721 543-1111 for non-urgent questions and directs medical emergencies to 912. A switchboard, marina office and agency contact should not replace the first call to the appropriate emergency service.

Getting responders to the yacht

A crew member may know exactly where “the boat” is while a road responder has never visited that dock. Give the vessel name, marina, dock and berth, then identify the gate or access road. A location pin can support the explanation, but say the location aloud and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

If safe, have another person meet responders at the agreed entrance while the caller remains available. Establish who will open controlled access and guide the team along the dock. Do not send several people to different gates without telling the dispatcher which entrance is being used.

At anchor or away from shore, give the vessel’s position and explain whether anyone is in the water, whether the vessel is moving and what access is possible. Use the yacht’s emergency communications procedure and trained personnel. This contact guide is not a substitute for the vessel’s radio procedures or emergency plan.

Explain what is happening, then stay reachable

State the incident, how many people are affected and any immediate hazards. For an injured person, describe what you can observe and answer the dispatcher’s questions. For fire, flooding or a security incident, explain the hazard without going closer to investigate it.

Give a callback number and stay on the line until instructed otherwise. If someone else makes a follow-up call, tell them which service has already been contacted and what instructions were given. Clear updates help avoid conflicting descriptions of the same event.

If the situation or location changes, tell the responder. A message in the yacht’s group chat may inform colleagues without reaching the service sending help. Keep one person responsible for passing on those changes where circumstances allow.

Use shore coordination to support the response

After the alarm has been raised, notify the yacht’s responsible person according to its emergency plan. Sea Grapes can assist with practical local arrangements such as marina access, transport after the emergency response and contacts around the vessel. These arrangements should follow the responder’s instructions.

For a later appointment, pharmacy enquiry or insurance paperwork, use the medical-care guide. Keeping that follow-up separate lets the emergency call remain focused on the people and location that need help now.