Sunday March 21st. – started out as a clear day in the Belize District. A little cool for March but clear and breezy – that it until 3:30 when angry clouds started to gather – by 4:15 they let loose and swept in with a northerly wind. The nasty weather didn’t let up until early Monday morning. We’ve already shown you how those marching against violence walked through the city streets in a downpour – but what about those at sea. The clear March day had taken many out to sea but the sudden appearance of storm clouds caught many off guard.
That’s what happened to an excursion of 35 people who went out to Goff’s Caye for a picnic. They started to head back at 4:00 but it was too late; by that time, the rain was already upon them; and without visual landmarks and no functioning compass, pretty soon the captain was hopelessly lost and they were without bearings. By 6:00 panicked word went out across Belize that over 20 people were lost at sea. Four hours later they made it back to shore and 7News was there. Here’s the story on what happened in between.
Jules VasquezReporting,
There were hugs for the passengers as they got back to land after a terrifying ordeal at sea Shivering, crying children walked quickly off the pier to get away from the driving rain and chilly north wind. Charles Gibson was one of the passengers who arrived in Belize at 9:40 pm last night. They had left Goff’s Caye 5 hours earlier at 4:00 when the heavy clouds started to appear. Karen Vernon organized the excursion.
Karen Vernon, Organized Trip
“Just after a bit after 4 we got a call from the owner of the boat to one of the people on the trip that we had to leave immediately because there
was a cold front coming in. So we did that, we packed up and left immediately and our way in the visibility was very poor, it was raining and the captain did exactly what the owner had told him to do, come behind Banister Island I think it was, and take it along the mangrove and so he did that. And I saw Banister Island, and we took a while in seeing Belize City, at least the coastline and we passed Marine Farm and that was strange to me and then we saw this huge tanker approaching, that was in the sea, and he asked the guy where was Belize City,
what direction was Belize City, and we realized that he was lost.”
Charles Gibson, Passenger
“Remember at this time it was already getting dark and the sea is rough, it is cold. I mean when one goes for a picnic at Goff’s Caye one doesn’t really take blankets and all that kind of thing. It was a very pleasant day but nonetheless we realized that we were lost and we were given some direction as to where Belize City, it appears as though the boat didn’t have compass or GPS or that kind of thing.”
They ran aground briefly and then found salvation here at this area known as Robinson’s Point – southwest of Goff’s Caye when they should have been traveling northwest.
Charles Gibson,
“I must say that everybody began to panic because when we ran aground, we were there just for a couple minutes and eventually the boat was dislodged. We went to somewhere called Marine Farm where there was a boat house and at that point in time there were two gentlemen there who were very kind enough to allow us to go in. We had children and we had young people, young teenagers and ladies and with us. But indeed it was a frightening and very horrific experience.”
They contacted the Coast Guard which responded in two hours and led them back and that was the worst part of the trip.
Coast Guard Officer,
“The Captain says that because of the heavy weather he couldn’t see his way so he said he had to stay there.”
Jules Vasquez,
“We know this is no night to be out?”
Coast Guard Officer,
“Well everybody is complaining they are cold and wet up so we told them to let’s board and try reach back.”
Jules Vasquez,
“So what did you all do, you all led them to safety or you made the vessel follow you?”
Coast Guard Officer,
“We put some people on the Coast Guard vessel and made the rest follow us because the captain said he had engine problems.”
Karen Vernon,
“When we left the boathouse, I think it was about nine o’clock and it took us about an hour to get in but that hour felt like the entire night because it was really rough and raining, the rain was really stinging us.”
Charles Gibson,
“Going back to Belize City, it was indeed a frightening horrific experience because I personally felt that the boat would have capsized at some point in time or the boat would break in two simply because of the violent slamming of the sea. But it was indeed a horrific experience, thank God we all survived and got into Belize safely.”
Karen Vernon,
“There were times when we were really banging, like my mom really hurt her back, and I know people feel banged up today but I don’t think at any point anyone’s life was in real danger. And when we finally got in, I mean I prayed the entire way. When we finally got in I saw Belize City lights and Belize City never looked that good to me. So in nutshell that is what happened yesterday.”
Keith Swift,
“How frightening was the experience?”
Karen Vernon,
“Very frightening, I tried to stay calm and there were some kids and when the boat was banging and the wind was belting, they were screaming so it was quite a frightening experience.”
Keith Swift,
“Will you continue on these trips, would you plan another one?”
Karen Vernon,
”I would go tomorrow but you can’t judge from me. Other people from the trip say they will never go on a caye trip again.”
Later on, we’ll have comment from the National Coast Guard – who confirmed the definitely lives were in peril. We spoke to number of passengers off camera and they wanted to thank the personnel at Marine Farms Belize who made all the difference for them yesterday.
