French Sea rescue

Rescue at sea: the SNSM is here!

Since February 6th, 2006, the station of Saint Martin of the SNSM (national society for sea rescue) received a new rescue boat, called "Notre-Dame de la Garoupe"(holy lady of Garoupe).


Originally based in Antibes, on the French Riviera, the boat is equipped with two Volvo engines of 340 horsepower each, that allow it a twenty knot miles speed in an area of one-hundred nautical miles around Saint Martin.


"With more than 200 missions in 5 years, Saint Martin is not far to become one of the most active centres of France," notes Jean-Claude Van Rymenant, the captain of the boat.


Two voluntary teams are permanently in Saint Martin to answer the calls of sailors in difficulty in the next areas. The distress calls have to be sent on VHF Channel 16 and are received by the CROSS (regional operational centre for watch and rescue), located in Fort-de-France in Martinique, that redirects the calls to the SNSM Station of Saint Martin.


Docked at the Fort-Louis Marina, in Marigot, you can also call the SNSM rescue-boat on the cell phone number 06 90 31 37 47. The rescue of a human life is free but the towing of broken-down boats is charged at the cost of the diesel.

CROSS Antilles-Guyane (Martinique)
Distress call on the VHF Channel 16
Tel.: 05 96 70 92 92
Cellular phone Saint Martin: 06 90 31 37 47