Recent posts on Saba News

RBC Royal Bank has announced that its branch and ATM on Saba will permanently close on January 27, 2027, following what the bank describes as “careful consideration.” The bank acknowledges that the decision will require adjustment from its Saba clients and says it is committed to supporting them throughout the transition. Until the closure date, the branch will continue operating on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the RBC ATM will remain available for both withdrawals and deposits. Clients are being informed of the upcoming changes through in‑branch notices, online announcements, email, and letters. RBC encourages clients to reach out directly for personalized assistance, noting that staff will work one‑on‑one with customers to address individual needs. More information, including details on what will change and what will remain the same for clients, is available on the RBC website.

An island-wide power outage affected Saba on Tues­day afternoon, plunging of­fices, stores and restaurants into darkness for more than four hours. Residents reported that elec­tricity first went off around 1:15pm. The lights came back on several times over the next hour, but only for a few min­utes before going dark again. Between 2:00 and 6:00pm, generators were the only source of power in Saba’s four villages. Saba Electric Company (SEC) restored power to The Bottom around 6:00pm, with the rest of the island com­ing back online over the next hour. “The power disruption which occurred earlier this afternoon was due to a combination of factors including communica­tion issues between our solar park and power plant and configuring load balancing with equipment at our power plant,” SEC said in a Face-book post on Tuesday night. The government-owned company apologised for any inconvenience caused by the prolonged outage. “We consistently appreciate the understanding and coop­eration of the public during these unexpected events,” SEC said. The Daily Herald.

Representatives from the Caribbean pub­lic entities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES) and the five Wadden Is­lands Texel, Vlieland, Ter­schelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog gathered on Texel on October 1 and 2 for a two-day work pro­gramme. These eight islands are united in the so-called E8 partnership. E8 serves as the collective voice of the Dutch island communi­ties in dealings with gov­ernment and the political establishment. The group also meets regularly to exchange knowledge and work on shared issues. The programme began at the TESO ferry terminal in Den Helder, where officials were met by King’s Com­missioner for North Hol­land Arthur van Dijk, be­fore travelling to Texel. On arrival, the delegation was welcomed by Texel Mayor Mark Pol. The first day included a presentation and a visit to “De Zoete Toekomst” (The Sweet Future), an innova­tive approach to freshwater storage for agriculture on Texel. Participants learned about the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable freshwater management for islands. The programme contin­ued with a thematic ses­sion on integrity and good island governance, led by Van Dijk. Representatives from the Wadden and Ca­ribbean islands exchanged experiences regarding ad­ministrative resilience, sub­versive crime, transparent and reliable elections, and the governance of founda­tions and semi-public or­ganisations. During the session Joc­elyn Levenstone, Island Governor of Saba, also gave a presentation on the upcoming 2027 elections and the use of proxy voting, followed by an exchange of experiences and viewpoints among the participants. John Soliano, Island Gov­ernor of Bonaire, gave a presentation on good gov­ernance within public and semi-public organisations. He addressed the complex environment in which these organisations operate, the role of the government as a shareholder, and the various roles and responsi­bilities within these organ­isations. The presentation highlighted how good gov­ernance can support organ­isations in achieving their objectives. On October 2, the pro­gramme continued with an excursion to De Slufter, organised in collaboration with the Texel Bird Infor­mation Centre and Staats­bosbeheer (State Forestry Service). The excursion covered Texel’s approach to nature management and the protection of vulner­able coastal areas. This was followed by an E8 working meeting, intro­duced by Michiel Schrier, Mayor of Vlieland and Chair of the E8. Represen­tatives from the Wadden and Caribbean islands re­flected on the partnership and discussed the substan­tive topics on which the E8 will collaborate in the com­ing year. Subsequently, the E8 welcomed members of the Dutch House of Represen­tatives, including members of the Standing Commit­tees on Infrastructure and Water Management and on Kingdom Relations. In her address, Statia Is­land Governor Alida Fran­cis outlined three key pri­orities that emerged from the E8 discussions: equal investment, stronger local implementation capacity, and increased climate ac­tion. She emphasised that equal treatment should not mean the uniform applica­tion of mainland policies to the islands; rather, fair outcomes must be achieved that take into account their unique size, logistical reali­ties and cost structures. Francis also highlighted challenges facing small is­land administrations — such as limited staffing and ac­cess to specialised expertise — and stressed the need to strengthen their capacity to implement policies effec­tively. Regarding climate resilience, she called for greater focus on implemen­tation, underscoring the need to look beyond strat­egies and “turn paper into practice”. To reinforce these shared priorities, Pol and Francis presented Member of Par­liament Heera Dijk with a board displaying the E8’s three key messages. She accepted the joint message on behalf of the delega­tion, along with colleagues Marieke Vellinga-Beem­sterboer, Luciënne Boels­ma-Hoekstra and Bjorn Schutz, thereby formally presenting the E8’s shared priorities to the House of Representatives. Schiermonnikoog Mayor Henri Meendering then ad­dressed the topic of water safety, including the role of natural systems — such as salt marshes — in coastal protection. The discus­sions also touched on the connection between the functions of coral reefs in the Caribbean and coastal protection measures on the Wadden Islands. The two-day programme concluded with a visit to De Schorren, led by nature con­servation organisation Natu­urmonumenten, after which the participants left Texel to travel back to Den Helder. The Daily Herald.

A floating silt curtain is being added at the Black Rocks Harbor construction site on Saba to stop fine sediment from spreading into surrounding wa­ters as work on the new harbour continues. According to project manager Peter Bieremond of Public Entity Saba, the project’s environmental impact was studied before con­struction began, and various mea­sures have been implemented to limit and compensate for that im­pact. Turbidity caused by excava­tion and breakwater construction is being followed closely and has mainly been contained within the project area, he said. Supervising engineer Luc Jor­dens of Dutch engineering com­pany Witteveen +Bos said silt­ation — fine soil particles — has been observed flowing out of the project area. “Though visible, the levels are low and kept within permissible limits,” he said. Turbidity is being kept to a minimum through adjusted work methods and the construction of temporary bunds. It is monitored daily by a fixed monitoring buoy, as well as by manual measure­ments taken twice a day at three different locations. If permitted levels are exceeded, work is sus­pended. Further restrictions apply during coral spawning season, including suspension of works, lower allow­able turbidity levels and more fre­quent measurements. As part of the project’s environ­mental measures, approximately 1,400 corals were relocated from the project area to an area near Hole in the Corner. The corals are being monitored regu­larly, and their survival rate has so far been very high. Other compensation mea­sures include the addition of three marine protected areas to the Saba National Marine Park. Public En­tity Saba has also allocated funds to Saba Conserva­tion Foundation (SCF) and Saba Research Center to further protect marine life. With work continuing and landside excavations sched­uled for the coming months, Bieremond said higher levels of turbidity may be expected. The silt curtain is being installed as an additional measure to further reduce the amount of fine material flowing into the surrounding waters. The yellow curtain will form a floating barrier around the work site. It is made of per­meable fabric, measures 220 metres long and 10 metres high, and has been custom­ised to the project’s specifi­cations. The buoys that will anchor the curtain have already been installed. The curtain has been prepared on land and will be towed into the water. The Daily Herald.

The Executive Council of the Public Entity Saba hosted a gathering for Sabans residing in the Netherlands on Saturday, October 3. Community members from across the country came together to reconnect and to meet with members of the Executive Council and Island Council. Island Council Member Vito Charles welcomed the attendees and thanked them for taking the time to join. The full Island Council delegation was present. In his remarks, Charles stressed the importance of community and of keeping strong ties among Sabans living in the Netherlands before handing the floor to Island Governor Jocelyn Levenstone. Governor Levenstone also thanked everyone for attending. Reflecting on his move into his new role, he said that while he once knew one Saba, he is now getting to know a different Saba as Island Governor. He noted that many Sabans living abroad have had a similar experience, having known a Saba that has changed over the years, and said that learning about and understanding the community is an ongoing process. After the Governor’s remarks, members of the Executive Council and Island Council mingled with attendees and heard about their experiences living in the Netherlands and their continued connections to Saba. The Public Entity Saba thanked everyone who took part in making the gathering a meaningful occasion and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong relationships with Sabans living abroad and recognizing the important role they continue to play in the wider Saban community. PES

During their stay on Saba, representatives of the Maritime Historical Museum Curaçao visited the Harry L. Johnson Museum. During the visit, Michaela Kuckelkorn and Stephan Smeets of the Maritime Historical Museum Curaçao were given a wonderful and extensive tour by Pamela Whitfield. Michaela and Stephan were particularly impressed by the passion and enthusiasm with which Pamela shares the rich history of Saba. In a personal and welcoming way, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into life on the island in earlier times and highlights the importance of preserving these stories, traditions, and cultural heritage for future generations. The visit was not only a wonderful introduction to Saba’s history, but also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas about the work that takes place behind the scenes at both museums. Harry L. Johnson Museum Saba and the Maritime Historical Museum Curaçao will remain in contact to continue sharing knowledge and experiences and, wherever possible, to support one another in preserving and presenting the historical heritage of our islands. Two islands, each with its own unique history, united by the same passion for keeping the past alive for future generations.

Restaurants and other food and beverage estab­lishments on Saba were found to be in good compliance during multidisciplinary inspections last week by Public Entity Saba Enforcers, together with Police, the Hygiene Department and the Fire Department. The inspections checked general safety, hygiene and fire safety requirements. A new establishment was also in­spected as part of the process for obtaining its operating licence. A few points requiring attention were found, and the es­tablishments concerned were given time to address them. All were cooperative, the Public Entity said. The inspections are held throughout the year as part of regular enforcement and prevention efforts. The Daily Herald.

The Dutch govern­ment has made 1.5 million euros available to subsidise ferry services between St. Eustatius, Saba and St. Maarten in 2027 while authorities explore how to add subsidised air travel in the future, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Man­agement Vincent Karremans and Dutch State Secretary of Home Af­fairs and Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg have told the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament. In a letter to Members of Parlia­ment (MPs) on Monday, Karremans and Van der Burg described con­nectivity between the SSS islands as a “basic provision” for Saba and St. Eustatius residents, who depend on St. Maarten for access to health­care, educational institutions and essential services like banking. They argue that both air and sea connec­tions should exist alongside each other to safeguard predictable ac­cess to Saba and St. Eustatius. Karremans’ and Van der Burg’s position is a softening of the Dutch government’s long-standing reluc­tance to fund air travel, despite having subsidised the Makana ferry since late 2021. “As long as travel remains ex­pensive and unpredictable, eco­nomic activity, the labour market and tourism will remain small, and dependence on the central govern­ment will remain high. At its core, the cabinet sees two crucial roles for the connectivity of St. Eustati­us and Saba. Namely, connectivity as basic provision, and connectiv­ity as a catalyst for liveability and economic activity,” Karremans and Van der Burg wrote. “The framework for better safeguard­ing connectivity is equality. The aim here is to achieve an equivalent effect for resi­dents of St. Eustatius and Saba in relation to residents of the European Nether­lands. Tailor-made solutions remain possible, but must be transparently and carefully justified.” Karremans and Van der Burg argued that air and seaconnectivity complement each other and reduce un­predictability, especially in adverse weather conditions that can disrupt one of these modes of transportation. “A strong crosswind may result in flights having to be cancelled, while under those conditions ferry services can often continue. Conversely, flights may continue when long-period swells on the open sea make ferry opera­tions impossible or risky,” Karremans and Van der Burg said. Because St. Maarten is a central hub for connecting St. Eustatius and Saba, they said discussions will also be held with the St. Maarten government. “This concerns an exploration of a public service obligation (PSO) for air connections, and of ferry connections between the Windward Islands. Because of their inter-relationship, these will be approached in an integrated manner.” Between 2022 and 2025, the Makana ferry transported approximately 35,000 pas­sengers per year between the SSS islands, according to the letter. In almost five years of operation, it “has become clear that the ferry connec­tion is not economically vi­able without a government contribution,” Karremans and Van der Burg said. In July, the Dutch Parlia­ment passed an amend­ment to the BES Aviation Act, which created the legal framework for a public ser­vice obligation (PSO) on air routes to the Caribbean Netherlands. The legislation allows the Dutch govern­ment to set requirements for ticket prices, frequency and capacity and to compensate an airline selected to operate a PSO route. The Daily Herald.

Saba has maintained its QualityCoast Silver Award status from Green Destina­tions following its latest sus­tainability assessment and audit, reaffirming the island’s commitment to sustainable destination management. The QualityCoast Award is part of the Green Destinations Awards and Certification Pro­gramme and recognises des­tinations for their efforts and progress towards more sustain­able and responsible destina­tion management. Maintaining Silver status re­flects Saba’s ongoing efforts to balance tourism development with the protection of the is­land’s natural environment, cultural heritage and the well­being of its community. Comprehensive assessment Maintaining the QualityCoast recognition involves an exten­sive assessment of sustainabil­ity across the destination. As part of the latest audit, Saba provided detailed information and supporting documentation covering destination manage­ment, nature and scenery, en­vironment and climate, culture and tradition, social well-being, and business and communica­tion. The assessment extends be­yond tourism and considers how sustainability is incorpo­rated into the management and development of the island. It requires input from different sectors and organisations and provides an opportunity to as­sess progress, identify areas of strength and determine where further improvements can be made. “This renewed Silver status is a welcome recognition of Saba’s continued commitment to sustainability,” said Director of Tourism Courtney Hassell. “Maintaining this recognition requires ongoing work across many different areas. The audit gives us an opportunity not only to demonstrate what Saba has accomplished, but also to identify where we can continue to improve. Sustainability is an on­going process, and the recom­mendations received will help us determine our next steps.” Collaborative effort Saba Tourism thanked the or­ganisations, partners and indi­viduals who provided informa­tion, documentation and input during the audit. The contributions of stake­holders across the island helped provide a comprehen­sive picture of Saba’s efforts and progress in the areas as­sessed. Their cooperation also highlights the importance of collaboration as Saba contin­ues to strengthen its approach to sustainability. With its Silver Award status, Saba will continue to be fea­tured in the Green Destina­tions Collection, providing in­ternational visibility alongside other destinations committed to improving sustainability and responsible tourism practices. The Daily Herald.

Commissioner of Fi­nance Bruce Zagers says the structural thirty million euros for the Caribbean Netherlands should pay for new measures that lower electricity bills and fund a broad public service ob­ligation (PSO) for connectivity, rather than becoming the struc­tural way of financing subsidies that already exist. Zagers made the comments in a video message following talks in the Netherlands last week between representatives of Bo­naire, St. Eustatius and Saba and the relevant Dutch minis­tries on how the money should be used. Before travelling, Zagers sent a letter to the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament calling for political action on Saba’s high cost of living, electric­ity rates and connectivity. Two motions have since addressed points in his letter: one on the gap between electricity rates in the Caribbean and Euro­pean Netherlands, and another, which was adopted, calling for the 30 million euros to be used for measures in addition to what already exists. “I was genuinely happy to see the three islands sitting at one table with the ministries on such an important topic,” he said. He warned that if much of the new money is used to fund exist­ing subsidies, the islands would mainly be maintaining the status quo. “The existing measures are important and should con­tinue; the question is whether this new money should become the structural way of paying for them.” Zagers compared Saba with Ameland, Vlieland and Win­terswijk, saying nobody first asks how much those places contribute compared with Amsterdam or Rotterdam be­fore deciding on government’s responsibility towards them. “They are part of the Nether­lands, but so are we.” On electricity, he noted that the Dutch government has esti­mated it would cost more than 36 million euros a year to bring Caribbean Netherlands prices in line with those in the Europe­an Netherlands. He called the figure extremely high, particu­larly without a clear breakdown, and said continued investment in renewable energy is welcome but does not lower the bills peo­ple pay today. On connectivity, Zagers said the legal basis for a PSO is now in place, but funding is not. He argued the PSO should support connectivity as a whole rather than only residents, pointing to what he calls “the RCN econ­omy”: the concentration of the National Government Depart­ment for the Caribbean Neth­erlands RCN and much of the Kingdom presence on Bonaire, which generates employment, trawl, accommodation and conference spending that Saba and St. Eustatius do not have. “It is not simply about cheaper airline tickets. It is an invest­ment in the accessibility and economic development of our islands,” he said. Zagers said he will keep ask­ing one question: what became structurally better and more affordable for Saba’s people be­cause the additional 30 million euros existed? The Daily Herald.