Hurricane Pass Application Process Starts. Deadline is May 17
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The application process for the annual Hurricane Passes for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season which starts June 1 and runs through November 30 has started.
There are two types of passes, the Disaster Pass and the Hurricane Pass. No passes will be issued to business owners, only with some exemption categories as noted below.
The pass allows the bearer to access the public road to visit the place of business to assess possible damage to the property. No company passes will be accepted during curfew hours. This can only take place during certain hours that will be stipulated and announced by the Prime Minister in a curfew situation.
Potential applicants have until May 17 to present all relevant information related to the process of requesting a pass.
Disaster Passes are issued to the following crucial disaster relief organizations and are valid for three years. The disaster relief organization consists of the following: Emergency Operations Center staff, Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) staff, Crucial governmental organizations, and entities involved in disaster management such as medical institutions, general practitioners and pharmacies, Red Cross, WIEMS, White & Yellow Cross Foundation, National Security Service VDSM, Sea Rescue, Shelter Management, Ministers and their drivers.
The following categories qualify for a Hurricane Pass which is valid for two years: Essential Government personnel without a disaster pass; Essential personnel of crucial companies or organizations: NV GEBE, Seven Seas Water, Telecom and Internet providers, Princess Juliana International Airport, Port St. Maarten, Hotels and Guesthouses, Marinas, Fuel distributors, and gas stations, Commercial banks, Hardware stores, Security companies (supervisors only), Medium and large sized supermarkets, Restaurants (those providing food services to emergency services), Importers and Wholesale Companies for perishable goods (Only requests can be submitted for refrigeration and or generator technicians).
The crucial organizations listed above (disaster & hurricane passes) can request personal passes for their key personnel.
The Office of Disaster Management which falls under the Ministry of General Affairs is handling the application process for the passes on behalf of the Prime Minister.
The Hurricane Pass is valid for the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons and will remain the property of the Government of Sint Maarten.
Please note that company passes will be accepted during curfew hours from the following institutions: Sint Maarten Medical Center, and White & Yellow Cross Foundation.
The pass system is a mechanism to maintain public order during emergency situations. The Prime Minister assesses the damage in conjunction with Emergency Disaster Management entities of the Government after a disaster has occurred and can impose a curfew if the extent of the damage poses a threat to the safety and security of the community.
An application form can be requested by sending an email to: hurricanepassrequest@sintmaartengov.org Emails should include the following: Name of business or organization; A short description of activities of the business or the organization; Request for either disaster or hurricane pass.
When submitting the application, the following documents need to be attached:
- copy business license fee paid (or receipt) for 2023 for businesses.
- proof of 2023 registration at the Chamber of Commerce, for organizations.
- a copy of valid Sint Maarten ID card of the applicant.
- Nafl. 50,- in leges stamps per application (to be obtained at the Receiver’s Office or the Simpson Bay Public Service Center), this is a non-refundable handling fee; a copy of a digital payment transfer is accepted as well.
- One (1) passport picture for new applicants, to be sent in JPEG format to hurricanepassrequest@sintmaartengov.org with the name of the person clearly indicated.
The application form has to be completed and submitted to the offices of the Fire Department & Disaster Management – in print form, to the attention of the secretary located at Jackal Road 5 (Office hours Monday-Friday 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM), Cay Hill, by May 17, 2023, with all necessary documents attached.
Applicants will be informed by email or telephone when to pick up the pass at the aforementioned address.
