Officials attempt to remove barge from reef

Pics taken off the San Pedro Sun. Island Newspaper

There is a barge lodged on the reef near Ambergris Caye. The barge is estimated to be 30 feet by 23 feet in size and is currently stuck on the reef some eight miles north of San Pedro Town near Blue Reef Resort. With the wave actions, the barge turned upside down and lodged itself where it remains tonight. Authorities believe that it happened sometime during the course of last night since residents travelling in the area, state that the vessel was not there yesterday. Port Authority, Coast Guard and the Department of the Environment has been on the scene since morning investigating the incident. Earl Valerio is the Head of the Port Authority Office in San Pedro Town and told us more.


Earl Valerio; Head, Port Authority Office

“We were trying to get it off the reef. We are trying to separate the sections of the barge because it has three sections. They have cut some of the metal that holds the barge together; there was a section that was under water. It was cut with a hag saw. It looks like it floated in because it is sitting firmly on the reef and there are some cuts on the top part of the barge. It has no markings on it. The barges in Belize are marked; they have some markings with numbers and sometimes the name of the mother ship on them but that barge has no marking on it. We are only speculating but maybe it broke away from a bigger convoy and then floated into Belize. It is highly unlikely that it belongs to a Belizean because where it is lodged right now it seems as though it floated out from the high seas and landed directly on the reef.”

The barge has no markings and authorities believe that it is a part of a larger vessel that may have drifted in the open waters outside of Ambergris Caye. Authorities are working in dismantling then removing the barge before it causes more damage to the reef.

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How to attain a Boat Captains License in Belize

Taken off the Port Authority of Belize website...

Requirements For Boat Master's License - Registration Requirements: It is mandatory by law that Boat Owners register and license their vessel with the Authority in order to operate within our territorial waters.

Boat Master’s License Requirements: In order for a Belizean to obtain a Boat Master’s License (Certificate of Competence) he/she must be able to show proof of their Citizenship by being in possession of either of the following:

•Valid Social Security Card
•Valid Voters ID or Passport

Once the applicant has met the requirements mentioned above in subsection 2.3.1 the applicant will then be required to first sit a written examination that is conducted every Mondays and Tuesdays respectively between the hours of 10:00-11:00 pm at the Office. This exam is based primarily on the contents of this booklet. These booklets are available for sale at the Belize Port Authority’s Office for an administrative fee.

After successful completion of the written exam the applicant will then be required to take a practical examination using his own personal vessel.

•After successful completion of the written and practical exam, the applicant will be asked to provide the Authority with two passport sized photographs and a fee of $25.00 per year.

•The first license issued to an individual after having met the requirements is an “A” Class and age restriction is twenty one (21) years for A2 class license for commercial vessels. To upgrade license individuals need to wait at least six (6) months after obtaining the first issue of their Boat Master’s License.

An application for upgrading of license must be submitted to the Harbour Master, if approved the person will be required to do a practical test for the upgrade.

Note: All Boat Master’s License expires on the Captain’s Birthday. Upon obtaining a license Master’s have the option to pay for a maximum of three years.

For a Foreigner to obtain a Boat Master’s License he/she must posses either of the following:

•Valid Work Permit

•Residency Card

•Valid Passport or

•Retirement Pension Card (provided by the Tourism Board)

Once the applicant has met the requirements mentioned above in subsection 2.3.1 the applicant will then be required to first sit a written examination that is conducted every Mondays and Tuesdays respectively between the hours of 10:00-11:00 pm at the Office. This exam is based primarily on the contents of this booklet. These booklets are available for sale at the Belize Port Authority’s Office for an administrative fee.

After successful completion of the written exam the applicant will then be required to take a practical examination using his own personal vessel.

•After successful completion of the written and practical exam, the applicant will be asked to provide the Authority with two passport sized photographs and a fee of $25.00 per year.

•The first license issued to an individual after having met the requirements is an “A” Class and age restriction is twenty one (21) years for A2 class license for commercial vessels. To upgrade license individuals need to wait at least six (6) months after obtaining the first issue of their Boat Master’s License.

An application for upgrading of license must be submitted to the Harbour Master, if approved the person will be required to do a practical test for the upgrade.

Note: All Boat Master’s License expires on the Captain’s Birthday. Upon obtaining a license Master’s have the option to pay for a maximum of three years.