AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye BOATING ACCIDENT LEAVES TWO PEOPLE INJURED

Good point Diane. If I struck a place off my list of places to go I wouldn't waste my time thinking about it any more, and certainly wouldn't take the time to check message boards.

Bahahaha!

Nope not a troll , I frequently look in on places I have been to see if they change, have done this on several places in the last 2 years - Buenos aires (lots of scams) , Seattle (one of their problems is gypsy cabs).

Our 2010 AC tour ride, full of passengers, also included a wreck in the mangrove area near BC (after a zip line trip) which was caused by a steering failure while running at 25 mph thru the small passages in the mangrove area-. The captain said "gee it broke last week, we fixed it now its broke again"
This boat had 2 large new looking yamaha engines (200 hp?) and was run by a company with a store front on AC, so they had money invested- after the late in the day wreck which took off the 3 stanchion canopy, we found they had no VHF- only a cell phone but that took 6 calls before someone answered (after 5 PM) , no tools, no spare helm(steering) fluid, and amazing to me for a boat that routinely returns at near or after sunset NO FLASHLIGHT. This is why I say there are too many cowboy type operators. Does AC require flashlights on boats operating at night for hire? yes or no?

(about the same time the news was the head on water taxi wreck that I think killed someone? a hotel bartender?-

what would be interesting in the AC maritime issues debate would be a list of recent changes if any , say in last 3 years, in boating laws/rules/regulations in AC area to improve safety
Have there been any? Or is it all talk?

Sounds like this aint the place for you ed50.
Us more adventurous types take all that in stride and would do it all again tomorrow.

Ed,

My amusement above was prompted less by Dianne's comments about trolls than a shared observation about ghostly visitations from an apparently long departed soul.

But to your question. I can't speak to the past, I can only say "Stay tuned..."

I've already been contacted about recommendations and this topic was discussed at our recent neighbourhood watch program. I'll simply say that plans are already being formulated at the appropropriate levels and departments of government...we'll just have to see how much committment there is to maintain the changes.

However, having said, that I suspect that it's not going to be some elaborate plan. The previous buoy plan did not "take"; alledgedly from lack of available funds. I've already commented that if there is sufficient political "will" then ongoing funding should always be there.

Meanwhile If you think that your self imposed "physical" exile is best for you & yours, well, à chacun son goût...

The rules, regulations and laws in boating are for the most part quite strict. Adherence to these requirements and the enforcement thereof are lacking.

Saying that boats should approach docks at a slower speed is not that easy.
Some areas are very shallow and the boats must be on plane to reach the deeper water near the docks.(unless you want a lot more dredging)
Keeping the Boats way off shore is also not clear cut as there are coral heads all over and this is what determins the boat lanes.

Swimmers must be made aware that there is a lot of boat traffic, Captians must be made aware there are a lot of swimmers.
This problem is not unique to Belize, there are more boating accidents in the US every year. So for some to say they would not come or come back to A/C is ridiculous.

Visitors should be told, by signs,their hotel or whoever, that it is dangerous to swim far from the docks or beach, even after this terrible accident I have seen people swimming in the middle of the boat lanes.
We can implement as many rules and laws as we like but if people don't follow them the same problems will occur.
Maybe it is time to have a small patrol boat to warn swimmers and or Boat Captians if they are seen doing something dangerous.

Well said tracker.

We can have all the rules we want - but if they are not practical in reality then they become difficult or impossible to follow.

Common sense will still always play a large part in decision making and determining the outcome of many situations.

I'll second that Amanda, a good summary Tracker.

Here is an excerpt from an action report given at our recent SACNW meeting.

"The BTB and Port Authority met to discuss ways to prevent this tragedy from happening again. Some changes will be taking place in the near future including the marking of a no wake zone and markers to designate the distance from shore that boats need to be while traveling along the coast. We also nee to do our part by making guests aware of the boating traffic and to be cautious when swimming off the docks...."

Additionally "....(a SACNW member) spoke with members of the Tour Guide Association ... buoys will be placed to mark the No Wake Zone. It was commented that many boats traveling near town are already honoring the No Wake Zone. "

Ultimately any well thought out plan and subsequently adopted rule(s) will need to be enforced. How this is accomplished and the degree to which it is fairly and firmly enforced will make all the difference in the success and safety we will all enjoy.

How well the SPTC & agencies of the government are committed to success will be reflected in the resource allocation. Theese resource committments, yet to be made, are critical. The idea of a patrol boat is sound. Funding it, staffing it, maintaining it are key. I would add that not only should its duties be oriented at swimmers and snorkelers, but its authority should extend to boat traffic as well. As I have said before, funding is a measure of poltical committment. It may be that it will require time to build up funding so attention needs to be paid to see that progress is made. I see no reason why a joint task force comprised of private and government partners could not be formed to review how this can be best accomplished.

Dock owners should see the wisdom in proper signage, those who are reluctant, may need a not so subtle reminder if signage rules are also passed. I believe most docks are required to be licensed/permitted (I'm not so naive to believe that all are) so a mailing list already exisits as a means to reach out to those owners even if only to suggest that signage is highly recommended. As all docks and piers are publically accessible I see the official recommendation (or even requirement) for signage by the approproate authorities as a no brainer.

The SACNW has developed a water safety and security fact sheet that will be provided to all resorts and rentals in the south area and to all SACNW members. SACNW has also included swimmer conduct and safety reminders in the duties of SACNW foot patrols. Here is the SACNW fact sheet as proposed:

VISITOR / GUEST WATER SAFETY TIPS

Ambergris Caye relies heavily on boats for transportation not only around the island itself but for inter island travel, mainland travel, transportation of cargo and of course tourism. When Swimming or snorkeling on Ambergris Caye please BEWARE OF BOAT TRAFFIC and follow these safety guidelines:

1) Swim/snorkel between docks and in designated swim areas when available.

2) Do not attempt to swim out to the reef.

3) Consider not wearing jewelry when snorkeling or swimming.

4) If any vessel is heading in your direction signal to make yourself visible.

5) Use a life vest or diver down buoy for visibility when snorkeling or swimming.

6) Touching coral, plant life and dock posts may cause extreme allergic reactions.

7) Always have someone watching when snorkeling or swimming at night.

8) Do not dive from docks as there could be shallow water or obstructions under water.

9) Pay attention to the wind speed and direction when kayaking away from shore.

10) A kayak and/or paddle are useful to make yourself visible while in the water.

11) Your belongings should not be left unattended on the beach or dock.

We want your vacation on Ambergris Caye to be a memorable and enjoyable one so please be safe while exploring our natural wonders.


I for one, am very proud of the proactive steps being taken by our own little SAC community and hope that similar efforts are being made elsewhere.

With the permission of SACNW, I would like to print these guidelines for my condo 'manual'. I would, of course, attribute the source.