BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — What could have become one of the Caribbean's worst maritime disasters in recent years ended in a remarkable rescue operation Monday morning after the well-known inter-island ferry Apple Syder began sinking just minutes after departing the Basseterre Ferry Terminal for Charlestown, Nevis.

Thanks to a swift emergency response involving the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, nearby vessels, fishermen and civilians, all 47 passengers and crew members aboard the ferry were safely rescued.

The incident unfolded shortly after the vessel left the terminal. Reports indicate that the ferry had not yet passed the western cruise pier when an emergency developed onboard. According to one passenger, a loud noise was suddenly heard before water began to rapidly enter the cabin, prompting panic among those on board.

Videos circulating on social media showed frightened passengers and crew wearing life jackets as the vessel gradually took on water before sinking. Other footage captured nearby boats rushing toward the stricken ferry as people were evacuated from the vessel.

The rescue operation quickly expanded as the MV Makana, local fishing boats and the Coast Guard converged on the area to assist. Their rapid response is being credited with preventing any loss of life.

Despite the frightening ordeal, there were no immediate reports of fatalities. Authorities had not yet released details on any injuries or the condition of those rescued.

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew confirmed throughout the morning that government officials were closely monitoring the emergency.

"I have been in constant contact with the Commander of the Defense Force and have been assured that every available resource has been deployed in the effort to save the lives of all those on board the ferry, Apple Syder," the Prime Minister wrote on social media during the rescue operation.

In a later update after visiting the hospital, Dr. Drew announced the positive outcome.

"I just left the hospital where I was updated that everyone from the ferry, Apple Syder, is safe. Thanks to God, the emergency response teams, hospital staff, and civilians for their tremendous rescue efforts."

Premier Mark Brantley of Nevis also confirmed that everyone aboard had survived.

"My office received news of an accident at sea involving one of our inter-island ferries. At this point, the information is that all passengers and crew are safe. We are grateful to our Coast Guard. We are grateful to God," Brantley stated.

The Apple Syder is one of the regular passenger ferries operating between St. Kitts and Nevis, a route relied upon daily by commuters, students, workers and visitors traveling between the two islands.

As news spread across the Federation, hundreds of residents followed developments via live video feeds and social media updates, expressing concern for those on board while praising the rescue teams for their rapid response.

At the time of publication, the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, an arm of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defense Force, had not yet issued an official statement explaining what caused the vessel to begin taking on water.

A formal marine investigation is expected to determine whether the incident resulted from mechanical failure, structural damage, human error or another cause.

Monday's incident is expected to raise serious questions regarding ferry safety inspections, emergency preparedness and maintenance standards for vessels operating on one of the Federation's busiest maritime routes.

For now, however, what began as a terrifying emergency at sea has ended with the outcome every family had hoped for: every passenger and crew member survived.

Source: Television Caribbean News

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Court of First Instance of St. Maarten has ordered the immediate lifting of all conservatory attachments placed by Flow on the bank accounts of TELEM and its affiliated companies, finding that the freezing of the accounts had effectively crippled the telecommunications provider's financial operations while the underlying commercial dispute remains unresolved.

The ruling, handed down on June 24, 2026, in Case SXM202600693 (ECLI:NL:OGEAM:2026:81), concerns a dispute over approximately Cg. 1.24 million that Flow claims TELEM has owed since 2021 and 2022 for telecommunications services provided between the companies.

Flow and TELEM have maintained a long-standing business relationship in both St. Maarten and Curaçao, relying on each other's telecommunications infrastructure to provide interconnection and cross-over services. Those services are invoiced and periodically settled between the companies.

According to Flow, negotiations held throughout 2023 and 2024 resulted in a settlement under which TELEM acknowledged that it owed Cg. 1,238,806.96. Based on that claim, Flow successfully obtained permission from the Court to impose conservatory attachments on Telem's accounts at Windward Islands Bank (WIB/Maduro & Curiel's Bank N.V.), RBC Royal Bank N.V., and Republic Bank (St. Maarten) N.V. The attachments were executed on June 12, 2026.

TELEM challenged the seizures in summary proceedings, arguing that it has subsequent counterclaims against Flow that should be set off against any outstanding balance. The company maintained that freezing all of its operating accounts threatened its ability to continue functioning as one of the country's major telecommunications providers.

Court: TELEM was Financially Crippled

In one of the most significant findings in the judgment, the Court concluded that the freezing of all bank accounts had placed TELEM in an untenable financial position.

The Court stated that all bank accounts belonging to the TELEM companies involved in the proceedings had been frozen. As a practical consequence, TELEM could only continue operating with money deposited into its accounts after the attachments were executed.

The judge further observed that, even without conducting additional investigations, the Court accepted that the attachments had effectively financially crippled TELEM. Because of the freezing of accounts, employees and suppliers could no longer be paid, or could only be paid to a very limited extent.

Adding to that conclusion, the Court noted that Flow itself had argued that Telem's financial position was already weak, making the consequences of the attachments even more severe.

Under those circumstances, the Court ruled that Telem's interest in having the attachments lifted outweighed Flow's interest in maintaining them, particularly because the disagreement over Telem's claimed right to set-off has already existed since 2024.

Court Questions Financial Information

The judgment also addressed the financial information relied upon in the proceedings.

In paragraph 4.22 of the decision, the Court noted that the financial statements presented were not fully up to date, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about Telem's present financial condition. The Court indicated that because the available financial information was not current, it could not make a reliable assessment based solely on those statements.

Rather than deciding the underlying financial dispute during the summary proceedings, the Court focused on the immediate consequences of maintaining the attachments and concluded that continuing the seizure would cause disproportionate harm to Telem's business operations.

Dispute Not Yet Decided

The Court emphasized that the ruling does not determine whether Flow is ultimately entitled to recover the claimed Cg. 1.24 million. That question will have to be resolved in substantive civil proceedings, where both Flow's claim and Telem's alleged counterclaims can be fully examined.

For now, however, the Court found that maintaining the conservatory attachments was unjustified in light of the severe operational consequences for TELEM.

The judgment therefore orders the immediate lifting of all conservatory attachments placed on June 12, restoring Telem's full access to its bank accounts while the commercial dispute proceeds through the ordinary civil court process.

Click for Court's Verdict

~Latest official statistics show the population increased by 183 people in one year, with natural increase accounting for more than half of the growth.~ 

PHILIPSBURG — St. Maarten's population has officially climbed to 42,449 residents as of January 1, 2025, according to newly released estimates from the Department of Statistics (STAT), marking a modest but steady increase that continues the country's post-pandemic demographic recovery.

The latest figures show that the island's population grew by 183 people over the previous year, representing an annual growth rate of 0.4 percent. While the increase may appear small, the data reveal that St. Maarten continues to experience both positive migration and natural population growth.

According to STAT, approximately 52 percent of the population increase resulted from natural growth, meaning there were more births than deaths, while the remaining 48 percent came from net migration, indicating that more people moved to St. Maarten than left the country during the period.

Population Rebased Following 2022 Census

The Department explained that the latest estimates have been rebased using the official results of the 2022 Population and Housing Census, which established St. Maarten's population at 41,902 residents.

By anchoring the annual estimates to the census benchmark, STAT said the revised figures now more accurately reflect demographic trends in accordance with international statistical standards. The Civil Registry also revised historical vital statistics, resulting in adjustments to estimates published for previous years.

Births Continue to Outnumber Deaths

The demographic report shows that during 2024:

• 339 births were registered.
• 244 deaths were recorded.
• This resulted in a natural increase of 95 people.

Although births have declined compared to earlier years, they continue to exceed deaths, allowing the country's population to grow even before migration is taken into account.

Migration Remains Positive

Migration also remained a significant contributor to population growth.

Official statistics show:

• 1,022 registered immigrants arrived in St. Maarten.
• 934 emigrants departed.
• This produced a net migration gain of 88 people.

Combined with the natural increase of 95 persons, the island experienced a total population increase of 183 residents between January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025.

Steady Growth Since 2017

The revised historical data indicate that St. Maarten's population has steadily expanded over the past eight years, though growth slowed following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Population estimates show:

• 2017: 39,176
• 2018: 39,560
• 2019: 40,141
• 2020: 41,021
• 2021: 41,541
• 2022: 41,717
• 2023 (Census benchmark): 41,902
• 2024: 42,266
• 2025: 42,449

The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, when the population grew by 880 people, representing 2.2 percent growth. Since then, annual growth has moderated, fluctuating between 0.4 percent and 0.9 percent.

Planning for the Future: STAT said reliable population estimates are essential for evidence-based policymaking and long-term planning. Population data influence decisions involving housing, healthcare, education, infrastructure, transportation, employment, and social services.

The department emphasized that these estimates provide government, businesses, and the wider public with dependable demographic information needed to understand how St. Maarten's population is evolving.

STAT also noted that the January 1, 2025, estimate is based on the most recent Civil Registry data and may be revised as late registrations are processed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) hereby informs the public that, effective June 29, 2026, the Transport Section and the Taxi Dispatching & School Bus Inspection Section have relocated from their former location across from Fair Way Supermarket to the Telem Building on Pond Island, Philipsburg, behind the Government Administration Building. This relocation forms part of IETA's ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency and enhance service delivery to the public.

As operations transition to the new facility, members of the public may experience temporary delays in processing times and service delivery for certain services, including:

• Driving Examinations
• Confirmation Letters
• Substitute Vehicle Letters
• General Information Inquiries

To ensure continuity of service during this transition period, members of the public are encouraged to utilize the following contact information:

Driving Examinations
Mobile & WhatsApp: +1 (721) 559-7674
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Transport Control Unit
Mobile & WhatsApp: +1 (721) 559-7685
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Taxi Dispatching & School Bus Inspection
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IETA advises that all listed email addresses remain active and are regularly monitored. Members of the public are encouraged to contact the relevant department prior to visiting the office while the relocation process is finalized.

Applicants with scheduled driving examinations should continue to report as instructed. Candidates scheduled for theoretical driving examinations are required to report to the Telem Building on Pond Island at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled examination time. Candidates scheduled for the practical driving examinations must continue to report to the John Larmonie Center on Longwall Road. Persons wishing to collect a Driving Competency Declaration may do so at the Telem Building on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Should any changes to scheduled examinations become necessary, affected applicants will be contacted directly.

Further information regarding office hours, service availability, and any temporary service adjustments will be communicated through the official communication channels of the Government of Sint Maarten and local media outlets as the transition progresses.

IETA apologizes for any inconvenience this temporary transition may cause and thanks the public for its patience, cooperation, and understanding during this period.

For further information, please contact:

Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.