• All vessels should be duly registered and in a seaworthy condition
• All Captains should have the necessary qualifications and experience needed for any passengers they are carrying
• Obey all 'rules of the road' on the water and be respectful of other marine traffic.
• Captains should be aware of all marine regulations specific to the local waters.
• Slow down when approaching areas where other vessels, swimmers, or other hazards are likely to be present.
• Ensure you have all necessary safety equipment on board, including flares, medical kits, etc.
• In addition to monitoring VHF16, listen for Poker Run announcements and instructions on VHF68   

• Watch out for sea creatures, especially Turtles! Slow down in bays and grassy-bottom areas where sea turtles are likely to be feeding or swimming. 
• DO NOT anchor in sea grass; anchor only in sand. Set your anchor carefully, and mind your vessel does not drag through the seagrass.
• DO NOT harass or touch our local marine creatures such as rays, turtles, urchins, etc. Look but don't touch.
• Keep your wake to a minimum when travelling close to shore or inside the lagoon. Creating a huge wake not only disturbs other boaters, it also disturbs and damages our fragile coastal ecosystem.  
• Learn more and support our marine environment guardians...
  • Nature Foundation SXM
  • Reserve Naturelle - St Martin   

• There are no prizes for who gets where first. Keep your speed appropriate for your surroundings and the safety of any passengers on board. Mind your wake, especially when approaching other vessels, no-wake zones, or other sensitive areas.

  When cruising inside the St Maarten Lagoon, be aware that the maximum speed limit is 5 knots. The entire lagoon should be treated as a no-wake zone.

• We want everyone to have fun and enjoy the experience. It's a party, after all! All we ask is that you be respectful to other participants and especially, the local inhabitants and establishments at any of our stops along our route. Your behaviour reflects on the entire SXM Poker Run event, and we want to be seen as something positive for SXM rather than something that has to be 'endured'.
  
  Don't be that guy or gal that gets all salty after a few too many rum punches...

     

Please Note:

French side St Martin requires ALL boats participating in the Poker Run to do a formal clearance. Sorry, but them's the rules we have to live by.

That means that you will need, for your boat...

• Current Registration
• A certificate of Insurance
• A copy of your last clearance OUT of any previous foreign port
• Passports for all crew and passengers

If you are visiting Sint Maarten from a foreign port, then you will also need to do a clearance for Dutch Side Sint Maarten as well.

We are working on having an Agent available to assist you, but we may have to collect information on your behalf.