The Hoppensteins’ acquisition of Snoopy Island in the early 1980s, strategically placed in the heart of Simpson Bay Lagoon, paved the way for the pair's development of the Yacht Club Isle de Sol (YCIDS), an upscale facility that made its 2002 debut as the world’s first dedicated megayacht marina. Although the father-son Hoppenstein team has since severed ties with YCIDS, the two retain control of Snoopy Island’s upland acreage and plan to commence development of a Five Star resort directly across the lagoon from the Yacht Club Port de Plaisance.

Seeking to match — and eventually surpass — the high standards now synonymous with their previous developments on Sint Maarten, the Hoppensteins have secured the services of congenial Irishman Patrick Barrett as YCPDP’s Director of Operations. A veteran Sint Maarten businessman, Barrett brings more than 26 years of on-island experience to the YCPDP restoration project, most recently seeing service as financial controller for three marinas, including the Yacht Club Port de Plaisance, now under the Hoppensteins’ control.

 
Barrett’s talent for ‘bringing a bit of the Blarney’ to his daily interactions with employees, guests, commercial vendors, and marine tradesmen, is expected to enhance the marina’s distinctly different Dutch-French-Caribbean character. “With the bulk of YCPDP staff remaining intact, there will be no shortage of familiar faces to greet returning guests, or lack of boater-friendly personnel to welcome first time marina visitors this season,” says Barrett, whose first assignment was to orchestrate preparations for the week of December 3 - 7, when the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association will debut its new ‘MYBA St. Maarten Charter Show’ at the Yacht Club Port de Plaisance.

 
In addition to being given priority slip assignment during Sint Maarten’s most prestigious marine industry marketing effort to date, YCPDP will serve as focal point for all show services and exhibitors. The 2007 show will continue to be managed by the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA), which is committed to maintaining the high standards associated with the MYBA ‘sister show’ in Genoa, Italy.

To contact Yacht Club Port de Plaisance, phone 599.544.4565; fax 599.544.4566; info@yachtclubportdeplaisance.com. Marina Management Services, Inc. phone 561.338.5800; fax 561.338.5280.