Recent posts on Saba News

Saba Day weekend means Sea to Scenery. On Saturday 5 December you start at Cove Bay with your hand in the water and finish just below the top of Mount Scenery. About 6 kilometers and about 800 meters of climbing. Run it, walk it, or run until the steps and walk the rest, like most of us. What: run or walk, from sea level to the top of Saba When: Saturday 5 December, bib numbers 6:30 at Cove Bay, briefing 6:45, start 7:00 Where: Cove Bay, via Hell’s Gate and Windwardside, up the Mt. Scenery steps Entry: $10, includes a bite and a drink together afterwards Sign up here: https://www.event66.nl/sea-to-scenery/ A Saba Triathlon Foundation event, in collaboration with Event 66. You have been up there with us before. The mountain has not gotten any lower, but neither have you. Next up after this one: the Saba Triathlon on Saturday 13 March 2027, swim, bike and run on Saba: https://www.event66.nl/saba-triathlon/ Hope to see you at the start! Sporty greetings/Sportieve groet, Jochem www.event66.nl

Recent reports that three firearms were discovered in the luggage of a passenger travelling from Saba to St. Maarten have renewed concerns about public safety and security on the island. According to Island Council Member Saskia Janell Matthew, the incident has raised questions within the community and revived memories of the tragic events of September 2025, when Saba experienced a loss of life that left many residents shaken. Matthew noted that public concerns about safety are understandable, particularly in light of the island’s recent history. During a public meeting of the Island Council on September 18, 2025, she raised several questions regarding measures being taken to strengthen security and protect the community. While acknowledging that complex safety challenges cannot be resolved overnight, Matthew believes residents deserve to know what progress has been made since those discussions took place. “More than a year later, and with another firearms-related incident drawing attention, it is reasonable for the public to receive an update on the steps that have been taken and the results achieved,” she said. Matthew emphasized that maintaining security on Saba is a shared responsibility involving both local and national authorities. However, she stressed the importance of examining local measures and ensuring that systems in place continue to be evaluated and improved. “No community can completely eliminate risk, and no security system can guarantee that incidents will never occur,” she stated. “However, authorities have a responsibility to identify risks, address vulnerabilities and continuously assess whether current measures are effective.” She also highlighted the importance of transparency and communication between government and residents. According to Matthew, community members should be kept informed about efforts being made to safeguard the island, rather than relying on speculation or waiting for another incident to prompt public discussion. The recent firearms discovery has once again brought questions of security, prevention and public communication to the forefront. As residents seek reassurance, calls are growing for updates on the measures implemented since last year’s discussions and for continued dialogue on how best to protect the island community. Saskia Janell Matthew

Member of Parliament (MP) and Chairman of the Justice Committee Lyndon Lewis is requesting that Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling provide a written and public update on the seizure of three firearms at Princess Juliana International Airport and explain why the passenger was released after questioning. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, as reported in Friday’s paper, “A woman arriving in St. Maarten on a flight from Saba was arrested after three firearms were found in her luggage. All weapons were confiscated, and the woman was released from police custody after questioning. The investigation into the importation of firearms into St. Maarten remains ongoing.” “I’m asking the Minister to clarify who made the decision to release the suspect after questioning, what factors informed that decision, and whether any conditions were imposed. Why pictures of the confiscated firearms, including the make and caliber, were not published as customary.” MP Lewis said. “Many persons in the community are shocked to hear that the suspect was released after questioning and that if it were a local public figure, they would have been remanded in police custody pending further investigation. This presumes to be another situation of Class Justice. The public deserves answers and a clear explanation of what can be disclosed at this stage, with full respect for the presumption of innocence and the integrity of the investigation,” MP Lewis stated. MP Lewis is seeking clarification on whether investigators have established who owned the firearms and whether they obtained the required authorizations. He seeks clarification on the screening procedures in place for passengers and luggage on the Saba–Sint Maarten route and whether the relevant authorities are reviewing those procedures following the incident. SMN News.

The island of Saba is taking part in the DEMA Show 2026, one of the world’s leading trade events for the diving industry, where it is showcasing its diving, natural beauty, and tourism offerings. The island’s presence carries extra weight this year. Saba has received nine awards in Scuba Diving magazine’s Readers Choice Awards, up from seven last year. Commissioner of Tourism Bruce Zagers and Director of Tourism Courtney Hassell accepted the awards on the island’s behalf. Saba was recognized in the following categories: Top 10 – Health of Marine Environment One of the Best – Wall Diving One of the Best – Big Animals One of the Best – Advanced Diving One of the Best – Underwater Photography One of the Best – Macro Life One of the Best – Best Value One of the Best – Best Overall One of the Best – Beginners The wide range of categories shows Saba’s appeal to divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced divers looking for dramatic walls, rich marine life, and strong photography opportunities. Saba is represented at the show by Saba Tourism, Sea Saba, Juliana’s Hotel, and Scenery Hotel. Together they are promoting the island as a distinctive Caribbean destination with world-class diving, warm hospitality, and a commitment to protecting its natural environment. The show gives Saba a valuable chance to build relationships with international dive operators, industry partners, and diving enthusiasts. Beyond its dive sites, the island offers an authentic Caribbean experience, with unspoiled landscapes, scenic hiking trails, charming villages, and boutique accommodations. With nine awards and a strong presence at DEMA’s 50th edition, Saba continues to strengthen its position in the international diving market. PES

The site BES Reporter announces that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has decided that the same company will continue to deliver mail on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. Minister Heleen Herbert has signed the decision granting Flamingo Express Dutch Caribbean N.V. (FXDC Post) a new ten-year concession, effective 1 January 2027. FXDC thus retains the exclusive right to deliver mail on the three islands. A concession is a government license that gives a company the exclusive right to provide a public postal service, subject to certain quality and delivery requirements. FXDC has operated the postal service on the BES islands since 2014. The current concession will expire on 31 December 2026. The decision goes against the advice of a study by Economisch Bureau Amsterdam (EBA), published in 2025. The bureau concluded that postal delivery in the Caribbean Netherlands structurally fails to meet quality requirements and that statutory delivery times are regularly exceeded. According to the researchers, this is partly due to logistical obstacles, such as irregular flight connections between the islands, the small market, the lack of street names and postcodes, and manual processes. In addition, postal volume has fallen by about a third since 2014. EBA advised splitting the concession and granting one per island. The bureau also proposed introducing postcodes, particularly on Bonaire, to enable ‘community mailboxes’, and adopting a new quality framework that distinguishes between local mail, mail between the islands and international mail. According to EBA, a financial contribution from the government, linked to performance requirements, may be needed in the future. The bureau also called for more active oversight by citizens, businesses, and local authorities. Conditions still unknown With the new decision, however, FXDC has again been granted a concession for all three islands, from 2027 through 2036. It is still unknown which conditions or improvements are attached to the new concession and why the minister chose not to award a separate concession per island. Neither FXDC nor the ministry has yet responded to the decision. BES Reporter