Island Global Yachting (IGY) Simpson Bay Marina and IGY Yacht Club Isle de Sol Marina of St. Maarten have been awarded the Blue Flag, given for meeting a checklist of measurable environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility standards. The program, begun in Europe in 1987 and run globally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), is locally operated by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC).
“Receiving the Blue Flag is a tremendous honor for our team,” said Andy Caballero, general manager at Simpson Bay Marina & Yacht Club Isle de Sol. “This achievement reflects our commitment to sustainability, responsible marine operations, and protecting the natural environment. We’re proud to uphold these world‑class standards and continue improving the guest experience for everyone who visits our marina.”
Fleur Hermanides, president of EPIC St. Maarten’s Board, added, “We’re delighted to have both IGY marinas now accredited by Blue Flag. Back in 2008, IGY Isle de Sol was our first Blue Flag site on St. Maarten. Sadly hurricane Irma in 2017 put a halt to all local eco-labels while the island rebuilt, and overcame the pandemic impact shortly thereafter. This is therefore quite a milestone, overcoming all setbacks, especially considering that accreditation criteria have become more stringent over the years.”
