The report on just how much damage was done to the coral reef in front of San Pedro Ambergris Caye has not been completed. Preliminary information is that there was some damage caused during the incident that occurred on early Tuesday morning. But today what we do know is that the foreign vessel, a luxury yacht flying a flag from the Isle of Man was removed from the location to prevent further damage to the reef.
The boat captain identified as forty nine year old Salvador Villerias Eckart who is a resident of Acapulco but has been living in Cancun has been cooperating with the relevant authorities. Eckart reportedly told police that he had to drop the boat’s anchor on the reef because a rope had become tangled in the propellers and to prevent the boat from running onto the reef he had to stop it by dropping the anchor. Today speaking via telephone the Chief Environmental Officer Martin Allegria told 7News about the investigation.
Jacqueline Godwin,
The boat has been removed from the location to prevent further damage to the reef?
Martin Allegria, Chief Environmental Officer
“The anchor was damaging so it had to be moved from that specific site because of the damage. However it has been instructed not to leave Belizean waters while this issue is addressed.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
And the boat captain and whoever else was onboard have been cooperating with authorities?
Martin Allegria,
“Very much so and that is the reason why I said we have instructed
them not to leave and they have agreed to comply not to leave and to assist us in anyway they can in order to resolve this issue quickly.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
From what I have been told, a rapid assessment has been done on the damage done to the coral reef. Can you give us an update on that?
Martin Allegria,
“Well right now it is being done in the sense that yes we have some assessment but the evaluation component is pending and that’s where we and Fisheries Department are working on it.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
But from initial reports the DOE, Department of Environment, have been receiving, is it a great area that has been damaged or it’s a small area?
Martin Allegria,
“It is nothing compared to what has been in the recent news. This is a small vessel and its anchor damage is not like running the whole ship unto the reef like what has happened in the previous two incidents.”
According to Martin Allegria the investigation and assessment should be completed in one to two days time. The pictures were provided by the San Pedro Sun.
