Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Sint Maarten and The Business Point are working to restore sewage pump boat service in and around Simpson Bay Lagoon with support and donations from business partners such as Island Global Yachting (IGY).
“Without IGY’s donation of dock space for the Slurpy pumpboat, restoration of service would not be possible,” said Natalia Collier, program director. “Slurpy” will soon be able to once again provide the only sewage disposal service for ships on the island, after being out of service since Hurricane Irma in 2017. The foundation relied on grants , donations and in-kind contributions to cover repair costs and operating expenses such as insurance and licenses.
This is not the first time that IGY's Isle de Sol Marina has partnered with EPIC, as its Isle de Sol Yacht Club was the first venue on Sint Maarten to receive the Blue Flag ecolabel, of which EPIC was the national operator, as well as multiple mangrove reforestation projects.
Simpson Bay Lagoon is one of the largest inland lagoons in the Caribbean and provides a crucial habitat for mangroves and seagrass beds for reef-dependent species. Unfortunately, the lagoon has suffered from extreme pollution, including sewage mainly from land-based sources. As a small organization, EPIC saw an opportunity to provide a responsible solution for maritime wastewater by offering a wastewater pumping service. Many boaters are very aware of the lagoon's pollution, as evidenced by algae mats and foul odors, and want to do what they can to improve the situation. EPIC looks forward to once again providing the boating community with proper wastewater disposal options. _AF
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