The SNSM (Société Nationale de Sauveteurs en Mer) de Saint Martin is a Sea Rescue Service operated entirely by volunteers; whom head out at the request of the MRCC to assist Mariners in distress in Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin and its neighboring islands on one of their 2 Rescue Vessels. They have a 30ft inflatable RIB as well as the 39 ft “Vedette Classe I” vessel “SNS 129” on which they head to sea whenever someone is in need of help; they are on standby and available 24/7, 365 days of the year.
The SNSM consists of over 60 volunteers from all walks of life, half of whom are active as crew or captains on the vessels; whilst the remainder are land based. Most of the volunteers are employed full time at a paying day job elsewhere but will drop whatever they are doing at a moments’ notice to assist with a Rescue Operation if called upon by the SNSM Call Coordinator.
The station in SXM St Martin was classed as one of France’s busiest SNSM stations with between 50-60 rescue operations per year prior to Hurricane Gonzalo in 2013; when the SNS 129 was severely damaged during a Rescue mission in the storm.
Since Hurricane Irma in 2017 and consequently Covid19 things have been a bit slower; but the station is still very active and volunteers hold weekly trainings at the pool as well as onboard the vessels.
The SNSM is not funded by the local government and relies entirely on private donations to remain operational.
For more information:
S.N.S.M. B.P. 723 – 18, Bd du Dr Hubert Petit, Front de mer de Marigot, 97150 SAINT-MARTIN (Antilles françaises). Tel. 05 90 777 056
Weekly volunteers meeting from 7 to 8 PM every THURSDAY evening, all year long.
Information & Souvenir Shop open at the station every Tuesday & Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM .
Secretary present at station every Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM for inquiries & donations.
Emergencies 24/7:
SNSM St. Martin: (590) 690 767 500 –
CROSS AG : Direct call: 196 from French based operator
or (596) 596 70 92 92 for international calls
VHF Ch. 16
