Turning now to other news...
The Belize Coast Guard successfully rescued 7 people yesterday after a vessel began taking on water near San Pedro Town. The Coast Guard assumed control of the rescue operation and coordinated with the civilian vessel to safely evacuate all passengers. The seven occupants, including five adults and two minors, were transferred onto the Coast Guard vessel and transported to safety. We spoke with Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis who told us more about this operation:
Gregory Soberanis, Commander BCG
"The Belize Coast Guard, um, assisted with, uh, search and rescue operation that was conducted yesterday afternoon, um, in San Pedro town. We received information approximately 2.30 p.m., uh, and, um, we immediately responded from Station San Pedro. Um, the information that we received was that there was a vessel that was sinking and-and taking on water, um, with seven passengers on board. Um, so we immediately, we immediately deployed, um, and we were able to locate the vessel. Upon arriving, upon our arrival at the scene, um, there was, the-the vessel was in-in somewhat of some shallow waters, and at the time was, um, being assisted by a smaller vessel that was in the immediate area when the incident was occurring. Um, the Coast Guard was able to make its way, um, close enough to eventually take control of the situation, um, what we call be the unseen coordinator, and-and we were able to coordinate with the smaller vessel that was, um, in the area, um, transport all-all seven persons from the, um, from the sinking vessel, um, with that small boat, um, and eventually brought them onto our boat, which was a larger vessel, um, and take them to safety. On board were-were five adults and-and two minors. Um, in situations such as these, um, the-it is-it is our mission and mandate to respond. As you know, when we have incidents at sea, um, there are several factors that we consider, um, in a situation like this, whether, um, the, um, we have injured, um, persons on board, um, and-and that type of thing. And so we, as quickly as-as possible, we respond to the situation, um, ensuring that, um, we are able to provide the necessary assistance, whether it's medical, immediate medical assistance, or, um, like I said, to effect the rescue to ensure that lives are saved."
Reporter
"Would you be able to indicate if there was any environmental impact?"
Gregory Soberanis, Commander BCG
"Yeah, so the-the captain of the vessel, um, made a prudent decision, um, which I believe has helped in this particular situation where, um, based on the reports that-that we received from our patrol, um, that responded, that the captain of the vessel that was in distress, realizing that, um, the vessel was taking on water, um, made his way to shallow waters, um, so that the vessel would not be completely submerged. Um, as far as we know, um, there was no- there is no environmental impact at this time. Um, it is a-it is an area not too far from where we are located in San Pedro, um, in the area of Mosquito Caye. Um, just, um, approximately one-one nautical mile, um, northwest of our-of our location."
