Easter time is here and that means thousands of Belizeans will take to seas, flocking to that favourite getaway, or even sport fishing. And while most take it for granted that every trip out to sea will be uneventful, the Port Authority simply cannot take that approach. The port is tasked to ensure that every single craft in Belizean waters is seaworthy. That means enforcement and information dissemination. We today went with them as they made their rounds spreading the word.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
The Ports Authority conducts safety inspections, registers and licenses vessels and ensures that all vessels in Belizean waters meet certain regulations. That's to make sure that if and when they need assistance, at least they can help themselves.
Michael Jenkins,
"Last year we had much more occurrence of accidents on the seas. We are trying to prevent this and make the public aware and educate them on what are the proper procedures in having a safe boating trip."
And while these men are preoccupied with ensuring that seafarers have a safe trip, Port State Control Officer Michael Jenkins says they have the authority to ensure that every trip is safe.
Michael Jenkins,
"There are different charges to the different offenses. For instance if you are caught overloaded, the charge can be $50 for each extra person you have on board and the same thing form life jackets; if there are more people than life jackets then it's a $50 fine for each person more than you have a life jacket. In an accident crisis, you won't have time to put on a life jacket so we do recommend that you wear it all times."
And while those are just the some of the safety measures boat captains should comply with, other regulations state that there should be a fire extinguisher on board as well as a first aid kit. Today these lawmen of the sea were out distributing pamphlets detailing regulations for sea-worthiness. Jenkins says they are doing this in preparation for an always busy Easter season.
Michael Jenkins,
"There are going to be more traffic on the seas, its Easter time and most people go out. We recommend that before going out you make a sailing plan. You let relatives know or you call the MNCC, which is the National Maritime Communication Center, and inform them of the amount of passengers you have on board, the time of departure, and the estimated time of arrival where you're planning to go.
We are at this time preparing ourselves to accommodate all the infractions that will be occurring on the seas and for sure we will be having a presence on the water on a daily basis. We go down south and we go to the north and then once there are cruise ships in the harbor, there is a presence of the Port Authority within the harbor."
And that presence will hopefully curb the likelihood of preventable accidents and make certain that if and when they do happen, boat captains are ready and equipped to manage any marine mishap.
