Miguel Gonzalez Perret Gentil, Public Relations Officer of Caribe Kustwacht, expressed in an interview with Matutino DIARIO that the beaches and bays of Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten are a year-round attraction, but during Semana Santa, there is a significant increase in people camping on the beach and navigating the waters in various areas.
He emphasized that safety is of utmost importance, especially for boat captains, who must ensure they have the proper permits and necessary documents when navigating. He also reminded them to always have enough life vests for the number of people on board. For example, if there are five people on a boat, five life vests are required. “If you don’t have enough, you cannot go out with them,” Miguel Gonzalez Perret Gentil stated.
He also urged people to make sure they always have enough water and to take care of having a fully charged phone and a working VHF radio in case of an emergency. “You can also call freely at 913, which is our emergency number at the Maritime Operational Center,” Gonzalez added.
Gonzalez also recommended carrying enough sunscreen and drinking water to avoid dehydration.
“When you go out on the water, whether to fish, land, or navigate for a while, inform a family member about your plans, where you’re going, and approximately how long you’ll be. If your family notices you haven’t returned by the expected time, they can take action, call authorities, and contact Wardacosta. We will be controlling and patrolling all bays and beaches in Aruba, including Mangel Halto, Savaneta, San Nicolas, High Rise, and Barcadera. We will monitor all routes to help ensure a safe Semana Santa, which is the most important aspect,” Miguel Gonzalez emphasized.
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