GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator (NDC) of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Clive Richardson, says the Colorado State University (CSU) Department of Atmospheric Science latest forecast from August 5, 2026, maintains that the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be a well below-average season due to the high likelihood of a strong El Nino event.
El Nino is a climate pattern that impacts the weather across the Caribbean into the tropical Atlantic with an increase of westerly winds that results in increased vertical wind shear, which is unfavourable for Atlantic hurricane formation and intensification. However, it only takes one hurricane event to make it a bad season for the country.
ODM is therefore urging all boat owners, captains, and members of the marine community to review and finalize their hurricane preparedness plans as the peak of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaches.
Historically, the most active period of the Atlantic hurricane season occurs between mid-August and mid-October, making this the ideal time for mariners to ensure that all preparations are in place well before any storm threatens the country.
ODM advises boat owners to inspect their hurricane mooring arrangements, secure vessel storage, verify insurance coverage, safeguard important documents, and ensure that all equipment required to secure their vessels is readily available.
Preparations should be completed before a Tropical Storm Watch or Hurricane Watch is issued, as weather conditions can deteriorate rapidly, leaving little time to safely secure vessels and seek safe shelter.
ODM is once again reminding mariners that personal safety must always take priority over protecting property. Boat owners who are registered in Sint Maarten, have to remove their vessel from the Simpson Bay lagoon or Oyster Pond and secure them on land or at a dock before the passage of a tropical storm or hurricane.
Mariners who are visiting the country and are not registered in Sint Maarten, are advised to make advance arrangements to seek safer waters elsewhere or secure their vessel on land at a boatyard.
ODM is also calling on marina operators, yacht clubs, boatyards, marine service providers, charter companies, vessel management companies, and other stakeholders within the marine sector to actively remind their clients of the importance of early hurricane preparedness. The marine industry plays a vital role in ensuring that boat owners receive timely information about safe mooring procedures, vessel removal options where available, and the importance of seeking safe shelter well before the arrival of severe weather.
ODM emphasizes that hurricane preparedness is a shared responsibility. By taking action early and following established hurricane plans, the marine community can significantly reduce risks to life, minimize property damage, and support a faster recovery following a storm.
The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and resources you need on how to prepare your family, home, or business for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.” The information here is also valuable for new residents.
Listen to the Government Radio station SXMGOV – 107.9FM – for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.
For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/
Prepare Early. Protect Lives. Secure Your Vessel.
