Belize Coast Guard issues statement on vessel found near Sapodilla caye

BBN Staff: The Belize Coast Guard (BCG) today responded to media reports on March 19, regarding a vessel grounding that occurred in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve.

The BCG informs that they were indeed aware of the vessel grounding.

The incident occurred on Thursday, March 14 around 3:30 a.m.

According to the report, the Forward Operating Base at Hunting Caye received a distress call from the sailing vessel CHITITU stating that they had run aground north of Nicholas Caye.

A search and rescue unit was immediately deployed and within 15 minutes, they located the vessel and crew.

Sailing vessel CHITITU is a 48 foot monohull sailing vessel registered in the United States of America.

The six passengers, all US nationals, were transported to Hunting Caye.

On Friday, March 15, five of the six passengers were transported to Placencia where they were handed over to immigration authorities.

The captain of the vessel remained under detention at Hunting Caye by the Belize Coast Guard.

On Saturday, March 16, the Department of the Environment visited the vessel aground and conducted an assessment of the damage done to the reef.

The normal procedure for the marine casualty response team involves several departments.

 The Belize Coast Guard is responsible for the enforcement aspect and securing the scene while the Department of the Environment is responsible for the damage assessment, and the Belize Port Authority is responsible for investigating the cause of the incident.

 

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

 

© 2019, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.