Sailor By Nature – An Interview With Jesse Peterson (Port de Plaisance Marina)
Many sailors you run into on the island are frequent visitors, but if you have an encounter with Jesse Peterson, you are meeting a local nautical stalwart. He is a proud 14th-generation descendant of ancestors who first arrived in the early 1600s, director of Port de Plaisance Marina, and president of the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA).
Peterson: “Most people know that I’m involved in the marine sector and have chosen a career in the field, but I think people would be surprised to hear that I’ve been doing so since I was legally able to work — about 25 years now.”
The important part of the island economy he represents is intertwined with what drives him: island beauty, sea life, and contributing to local jobs. “I was born and raised on the beautiful and friendly island of SXM. I’m passionate about the environment, nature, sustainable development, and the overall well-being of my community and the places I choose to live.” Visitors enjoy an island in balance too. “Seeing returning visitors and hearing positive feedback from people who experience the services and work they receive here makes me proud.”
With these values at heart, Peterson advises visitors to avoid the beaten tracks and explore the lesser-known sides of the island. As one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean, this is not always common elsewhere — but here you can. Peterson: “Choose anything nature. Beaches, hikes, diving, sailing, boating — all of the above.”
For landlubbers, he adds: “If I had to pick just one non-nautical activity, maybe the rainforest and cable car ride up Sentry Hill. The view is simply worth it, and you can really appreciate how lucky we are to live here.”
A Day Out With Jesse
With a flourishing marina and as president of a sector that brings in 16% of the economy, where does Peterson spend his time when he’s off? He smiles: “I’ll keep my favorite spot a secret but will reveal my second favorite. I really love the lookout point on the Anse Marcel hike and watching the sunrise.”
Beachwise, he is more willing to reveal his best hideouts. “Simpson Bay Beach is first, mainly because of the nostalgia. It’s where I grew up and where my bloodline and ancestors chose to settle. A close second is Mullet Bay Beach, simply because of its beauty.”
What about the core of the “culinary capital of the Caribbean,” St. Maarten?
“Honestly, I’m a sucker for good cuisine and have favorites for each type, but if I must choose one, I think my recent experience at Oceans 82 in Grand Case was really good.”
His true favorite spot, however, is home.
“I spend way too much money on it to have another favorite spot,” laughs Peterson. “It’s where you’ll find me playing chess if I am truly off. If not, I might be out diving in the ocean that day too.”
Either way, it would preferably be with his family. “My daughter is possibly, if anything, my greatest ‘hobby’. Be it at home or near the water, she adds tremendous value to all I do”.
You would not necessarily encounter Peterson in the bustling island nightlife: “I’m not a big drinker or bar-goer… but if I’m at a bar of sorts, I’ll likely be drinking a coffee or Frappuccino at Spaces in Simpson Bay.”
For three island events, though, he definitely leaves “home sweet home.” One is SXM Festival. “I really enjoy house and EDM music and the festival vibe they bring to our island. A close second is SXM Carnival, and third is the Heineken Regatta.”
Off the Beaten Track (And Into History)
What is a historical spot, known mostly to insiders, that can be recommended by a 14th-generation islander? “I think the old Simpson Bay Bridge behind Market Garden in Simpson Bay. The site is not known to most people, and it hasn’t been officially recognized as a National Historic Site, but it should be. Due to uncontrolled development in the area, the site is losing its history and heritage.” Historical sailing comes up as a must-discover too. “Traditional sailboat races on Grand Case Beach.”
With his societal involvement, does Peterson also see challenges in paradise? “The senior population is growing faster than ever, and we don’t have enough care facilities or services for them. We must care for our elders — it is what defines us as a people and a society.”
The younger generation is also not entirely free of limitations. “What deserves more attention is how much natural talent our people have and how limited they are in truly displaying it to the world.”
Meanwhile, the island itself already forms a diverse, multicultural palette in Peterson’s eyes. “Few visitors — and even not every resident — realize how multicultural we truly are. There’s been so much migration in the last 50 years that we’ve lost some old identities, which is hard to accept. I think we also haven’t fully embraced how mixed and multicultural we are, and how unique that truly is.”
Take local supermarkets.“Many of our small supermarkets are mainly operated by our Chinese community. I think we underestimate how handy and available they are to our society.”
He summarizes: “Our two-island nation and how welcoming we are to all cultures and societies are factors that invite exploration — both for islanders and visitors — every day.”
Back to VISIT St Maarten / St Martin Main Page
