A Honduran sailboat got stuck on the reef in Belize's southern waters 9 days ago close to Ranguana Caye.
Since then it has been removed by the Belize Coast Guard in collaboration with the Belize Port Authority and the Department of the Environment.
But what damage did it do to the reef?
Well that is being assessed.
Today, we spoke with CEO Francis Usher at the Ministry of National Defence who explained what happened:
Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of National Defence and Border Security
"So, on the 14th of March, in the evening, about approximately 6:55 p.m., the Belize Coast Guard received notice from the Ranguana Caye Resort that a vessel was suspected to be grounded in the area or the vicinity of Ranguana Caye."
"So, the Coast Guard immediately deployed a vessel to be able to investigate the matter, but they didn't find anything. And then thereafter, they returned to base. And at 10 p.m. that same night, the reports were that they saw the vessel that reportedly ran aground in the vicinity of Honduran Waters."
"Later on that night, a distress call was received. The Coast Guard redeployed their vessel. Thereafter, they searched through the night into the following morning. They didn't find the vessel. The following morning, they deployed the BDF air wing to help search."
"And then a call came in from the Hunting Key FOB that a fisherman who was passing by saw the vessel in distress, picked up the four individuals and took them to the Hunting Caye FOB where the Coast Guard then took them into the Big Creek base."
"So by the time the airwing was deployed the following day and the Coast Guard deployed first light, so early in the morning, the vessel was not found, but they received a call from Hunting Caye saying that the four individuals were brought to that location."
Reporter
"In an instance like that, can we expect to see charges be brought upon anyone?"
Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of National Defence and Border Security
"So the potential charges I would think would stem from either if there were any immigration related offenses. I do know that at least some of the individuals were foreign nationals."
"So if there were immigration related offenses, they would be charged for that. And for the damage to the reef, that would be Department of the Environment-led offense." The Belize Port Authority will be conducting an assessment of the sailboat to ascertain the damages and ensure that it is repaired before being allowed to sail.
