Down Street jetty will be used more

~ Security being increased ~

PHILIPSBURG--The "Down Street Jetty" will again see an increased usage by water tenders dropping off cruise ship passengers in Philipsburg as the season heats up. This move comes after the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies has sought to increase security in the area as well and ensuring there is access to restrooms.

Merchants of "Down Street" had expressed concerns to the Harbour Group about them being cut out of the economic opportunities created by cruise passengers because the water tender jetty in front of Sea Palace was not being fully utilised. Those complaints led to a site visit by harbour officials, in particular CEO Mark Mingo and security personnel.

Mingo told the press that the harbour group has to be very cautious when it comes to cruise passengers coming ashore. These were concerns about the safety of cruisers especially in the alleyways of the part of Front Street commonly referred to as "Down Street."

The harbour has plans to increase its security patrol and implement a bike patrol, similar to that of the police department. This patrol will complement the service of the police and increase safety for cruisers, businesses and residents in the areas in and around Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities.

Mingo said safety of cruise passengers has "high priority" because any incident can quickly go viral on the internet causing damage to the destination's reputation.

St. Maarten currently ranks as number six cruise destination in the world due to the number of cruise passengers that visits annual and the high level of cruise passenger satisfaction. This, however, can quickly change if precautions are not taken, he said.

Mingo added that when the site visit of Down Street was carried out, a captain of a cruise ship that was in port was rollerblading in the area. "Can you imagine if something happened in that area the captain would know right away or would be involved."

Similarly, cruise passenger harassment as was seen in particular on Tuesday when four ships were in port would also serve to hamper the destination's high ranking in the world.

Mingo hopes that the good and continued relationship with Justice Minister Roland Duncan and the police department as well as the increase of the harbour's own security will help to curb passenger harassment. "We are looking to see what will happen with Captain Hodge [Wharf security lookout tower]."

Meanwhile, the harbour together St. Maarten Tourist Bureau will again make an attempt a cruise conversion; the fourth such attempt. Mingo said the "elements and ingredients" of the new programme should help it become a success this time around.

He commended Tourist Bureau Director May Ling Chun her understand the philosophy of the cruise industry and want is needed to convert some of the 1.5 million cruisers annually to stay over visitors.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/22500-down-street-jetty-will-be-used-more.html

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