"Simpson Bay Lagoon is the best in the Caribbean because of the protection it offers," said Jerry Blakeslee, owner of Bay Island Yachts. As commodore of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, Blakeslee is the first to point out the island's boating advantages.

"There is no sales tax in St. Maarten. Taxes can be as high as 16 to 18 percent in Europe or the United States. You can start your voyage right here in the Caribbean," he said.

The central location of the island is also a major selling point among those in the trade. "St. Maarten really is a crossroads for cruising in the world. We are 90 miles from the British Virgin Islands in the west and the same distance from Antigua in the east," said Blakeslee.

Robbie Ferron, general manager of Budget Marine, added, "This is a tax-free market. Where other Caribbean countries have to deal with about a 100 percent import tariff, we in St. Maarten do not." In addition to tax-free advantages, the marinas in Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin offer a myriad of products and services.

Budget Marine moved into its Simpson Bay location in September 1999 to better serve clients of the marine leisure industry. "We retain our market share by supply and service. To grow, we went into distribution," said Ferron.

As far as marketing a tourist destination, Ferron makes a valid point. "In terms of marketing big, Jamaica, Miami and Alaska win the contest. However, as an attractive small destination, St. Maarten is the winner." Ferron and his colleagues in the Marine Trade Association believe that service and reputation are the most important issues to win clients back year after year.

"Whether clients be retirees, charter boats or mega yachts, our goal is to promote St. Maarten as a marine destination," said Paul Marshall, president of the Marine Trade Association. The island is becoming increasingly popular because of its favorable weather and ample services that offer provisions, supplies, service and parts. The duty-free status makes getting marine parts cost effective and timely.

"We can get products here usually within one day of the order," said Marshall, who is also the managing director of Island Water World Offshore Inc. His business provides marine hardware, a dry-dock facility, mechanic shop, cranes for servicing boats, diesel repair and canvas repair. Marshall's operation is a fine example of what the 11 different marinas on the island can offer in the form of services.

The Marine Trade Association membership is composed of marinas, marine stores, service industries, restaurants, beverage distribution companies and grocery stores. "Our members understand the importance of the marine trade industry," he said.

The mega yacht industry is one that has especially developed over the past decade in St. Maarten. Arna Berg, general manager and recent owner of Simpson Bay Yacht Club Marina, explained how her facility began to provide service to the large boats.

"Hurricane Luis for us turned out to be a blessing in disguise; we were almost the only marina in the region left in operation. We realized the mega yachts still wanted to cruise the Caribbean and had nowhere to go, so instead of replacing our damaged finger piers, we restructured the marina and created our mega yacht facility."

Simpson Bay Marina now has space for 30 mega yachts (70 to 200 feet long) and 90 cruising boats (30 to 60 feet long). "Operating a marina is a great business; it's like having a 100-room hotel you can run with only five employees," she said with a laugh. Originally working for the BBC, Berg arrived in St. Maarten 25 years ago for the first time as an employee of Windjammer Cruises. She decided to stay and, with the help of her colleague from her time in the cruise ship business, Harold Phillips, she took over the marina five years ago.

"We try to make every customer feel at home," said Phillips, who manages the operations at the marina.

Almost all marinas cater to sailboats and other smaller craft, but Bobby's Marina provides an even more diverse operation. For the past five years, Sint Maarten Tender Services, NV has brought cruise guests to Captain Hodge Pier in Philipsburg. Proud to carry on the tradition of his knighted father, Bobby Velasquez started the tendering service when he saw the need for it after Hurricane Luis.

"We have 17 tenders in our fleet now and St. Kitts is now interested in this service," said Velasquez. Tenders are large water taxis that carry cruise ship passengers to shore. The development of the new harbor project may eliminate the need for as many tenders, so Velasquez is excited about helping other islands in the region with his experience in the business. "Princess Lines is interested in the development of a project in the Bahamas and approached us for ideas," he said.

In the next five to 10 years, Marshall projected, the marine trade industry will be much stronger. "There will be more expansion, especially on the French side of the island. The Caribbean will grow as a marine destination that is more sophisticated than in the past."

Plans are on the books to further develop the mega yacht industry in Marigot as well as in Simpson Bay, so investors share Marshall's optimism.