Is Simpson Bay navigable for sailboats with a 6 foot keel? Friends are on their way from Bermuda and need to catch a plane in St. Maarten. We have always sailed into Oyster Pond but not sure it's navigable with the boats that have sunk there. I'm sure there are still sunken boats in Simpson Bay. Any info would be appreciated.

Simpson Bay, or the Lagoon? The Lagoon, I would say no.

I don’t know the difference. So you think Simpson Bay is navigable but not the lagoon? Is there an immigration/customs office at Simpson Bay that still standing?

The Simpson Bay LAGOON is landlocked, inside the Simpson Bay bridge. There were probably a couple HUNDRED boats that were sunk there and most I assume, are still there. Simpson Bay is an open bay and while there were some boats sunk there, I would assume, most boats would not be there in the open bay during a hurricane. Don't know about the immigration and customs office.

Be careful in Simpson Bay as well. The approach to the bridge is clear but in the Bay and also in the Lagoon it is "navigate at your own risk". Lots of sunken vessels and debris under the water.

C/I is still available but there are very limited places to keep your boat in a marina since most facilities were heavily damaged.

Customs and Immigration can be handled at the police station, which is on your left immediately before the drawbridge, as you approach the lagoon.

Marie, your friends need to do some serious research, getting second hand info on a travel forum is not your best navigational advice. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Your friends are already on their way!
Not wise without doing research first.
They are going to catch a plane without having any idea
where they can leave the boat, or where it is safe to anchor, or anything else.

I am a sailor with experience in St Maarten / St. Martin, and have sailed my own boat from Bermuda to St. Martin and back.
Under the current circumstances, I would not consider doing what they are doing without much more info. And if you and/or they do not know the difference between Simpson Bay vs. Simpson Bay Lagoon then I think they are really "behind the 8 ball", not good. My advice is that they should turn back to Bermuda until they do their research. They are just asking for trouble!
Not wise. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Words of wisdom from an experienced sailor. Thank you.

Thank you all for your responses. The captain of this boat is an experienced Bluewater sailor but has never sailed into St. Maarten. This situation is unavoidable without going into detail. He will not be leaving the boat but will be dropping people off to catch a plane.