But, the Coast Guard was only too happy to talk about a life and death rescue mission that they pulled off yesterday.
It happened around 8:00 in the morning in the waters off Consejo in the Corozal district. Around 7:00 there was distress call from a vessel in the Rocky Point, Sarteneja area. The Coast Guard headed out into heavy winds and rough seas, but just as they were leaving, the severity situation was upgraded because the vessel capsized. Petty Officer Dobian Montero, stationed in Corozal told us more via Zoom:
Petty Officer Dobian Montero, Belize Coast Guard
"Shortly before we departed, we received another call stating that the stress vessel has capsized and presently 2 persons are hanging from the bow of the vessel, so we departed that morning and the weather was very rough, the sea state was bad. It took us to that location about 45 minutes, because of the weather. As we were approaching that location, one of our lookouts managed to spot an object in the water, so we decided to make way to that location and it was there that we found the capsized vessel with 2 persons hanging on it."
"As we approached the vessel and spoke to the 2 persons that were hanging on the it, they informed us that there was a total of 7 persons and 5 of them are drifting from their location. They said that they don't need rescue right now - that they are good where they are - that we should rescue the persons that are drifting. So, we coordinated another search and rescue and our lookout spotted what seemed to be a white object like a kilometre from where we were, so we decided to head that direction and upon approaching the white object, we saw some shadows in the water."
"As we approached, we saw the 5 persons that were drifting hanging to the ice box. So we came along and put them in the vessel and secure them. From there we went to the capsized vessel and secured the next 2 persons. From there we headed to Orchid Bay where they started their journey."
"No major injuries, just minor dehydration and a little bit hyperthermic, because they were in the water."
Jules Vasquez
"People already adrift, it could have been a life and death situation."
Petty Officer Dobian Montero, Belize Coast Guard
"Yes, it could have been a life and death situation. The timing of the information was crucial and our deployment was crucial as well."
Jules Vasquez
"Is there any certainty at this point why the vessel capsized?"
Petty Officer Dobian Montero, Belize Coast Guard
"From what we understood, Miss Kimberly explained to us it was that while they were travelling, the boat dive down and took some water in from the wave and at the same time they lost power from their engine. It caused it to shut down. The bad sea state caused the hull of the vessel to crack and that was the major factor that played in that vessel capsizing."
The Coast Guard returned the 7 passengers to their original launch point at Orchid Bay safe and sound.
Channel 7
AmbergrisCaye.com 
