Oil rig pays necessary but unwanted visit to Belizean waters

By Aaron Humes: A hasty notice from the Belize Port Authority announces that a semi-submersible drilling unit known as MV Frida 1 is calling at the Port of Belize today to replenish stores and conduct inbound and outbound clearances, anchoring outside of English Caye.

According to the Port Authority, the ship cannot enter the harbour due to draft restrictions and will spend only six hours before returning to Mexico. It has authorization under normal maritime practice and will not be conducting any works in Belizean waters.

The appearance of the rig prompted alarm among fishermen and tour guides from Ambergris Caye, who spotted the Frida 15 minutes out of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve this morning heading south toward the Old Capital. According to Ambergris Today, “Island residents are highly concerned and questioning if this is an offshore oil drill that will be used in Belize waters. Belizeans have already voted against offshore drilling and exploration in our country and hope this is not what it looks like.”

Oceana Belize Vice-President Senator Janelle Chanona issued a statement which read in part, “It was unfortunate that no advance notice was shared with the maritime community on this matter to address the concerns that were inevitably created by such a sight in local waters. Furthermore, this incident does illustrate shows how quickly things can happen if Belizeans are not meaningfully involved in the decision-making process of lifting the offshore oil moratorium. Oceana continues to advocate for such the inclusion of such mechanisms to be legislated.”

Since last September, Oceana has been gathering signatures from ordinary Belizeans to petition for a referendum on the process of informing on activities related to offshore drilling in Belize, despite the ongoing offshore oil moratorium. Meanwhile, the Government has suggested it would like to map the potential area of petroleum deposits offshore to gauge their value and mortgage them for development help for the country.

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