And in news just in, a boat loaded with 11 fishermen capsized just off the coast of Belize City late this evening. No one was seriously hurt but we can confirm that the captain Cesar Munoz and 10 fishermen were onboard the “Ubofo” enroute to Halfmoon Caye. But they never made it because near the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, the boat capsized. The men were rescued by personnel from Sea Sports Belize and Triple J – and just a short while ago their skiff was dragged into the Belize City harbor. Keith Swift spoke to Jose Rodriquez and Nuri Ruiz who were onboard. They told us what happened.
Jose Rodriquez, Passenger on Boat
“The boat just flipped and a boy was left trapped in the boat and thank God we saved him. We were going to Halfmoon Caye, about thirteen of us.”
Keith Swift,
What caused it?
Jose Rodriquez,
“I would say that maybe the boat had too much weight on one side and
that caused it. It is just an accident.”
Keith Swift,
Are you feeling lucky to be alive?
Jose Rodriquez,
“No, we were out of the boat. The man who got trapped in the boat was a young boy and finally we got him out. We fight him out. We went into the boat and tried to take him out and finally we took him out.”
Keith Swift,
You were going to Halfmoon Caye for the night?
Jose Rodriquez,
“No we cannot go because everything was lost on the boat.”
Keith Swift,
Sir you were also on the boat, what happened?
Nuri Ruiz, Passenger on Boat
“Well from my experience, first time I am talking on a mic. From my experience, I know that I saved my best friend and I love that because all of us are on the boat and we are a family together and…”
Keith Swift,
What happened out there?
Nuri Ruiz,
“Well we are driving and having and everything and we just, maybe too much weight was on one side and we just turned over but everything will be over and my friend will be alright and I feel happy about that too.”
And as he said, no one was seriously hurt. Police and paramedics responded but were not needed. The captain Cesar Munoz says they still plan to head out to Half-Moon Caye tomorrow where they’ll spend the next week fishing.
