Chetumal, Q.R. — Passengers from a water taxi that provides service between Chetumal and San Pedro were rescued Sunday night. Those on board were rescued from their vessel after it became grounded in Belize Sunday night.
According to early information, the boat was returning to San Pedro from Chetumal for its last run of the night. As it neared Belize land in the dark, it became hung up near an inlet.
The Belize Coast Guard responded to a distress call from the captain who reported the incident and requested assistance in evacuating passengers.
The accident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles from the town of San Pedro.
Personnel from the Belize Coast Guard were sent to the site of the grounding to assist in the removal of the boat’s passengers. At the scene, Coast Guard personnel found the passengers had left the vessel and were waiting on the inlet’s dry ground for a transfer.
The Belize Coast Guard transferred the water taxi’s passengers to their final destination of San Pedro late Sunday night. There were no injuries reported. The vessel is reported to have sustained minor damage during the grounding.
In a brief statement, the Belize Coast Guard warned other boaters of the grounded vessel Sunday night.
“Urgent: notice to mariners transiting the western approach to San Pedro town are asked to exercise caution as there is currently a vessel grounded with passengers on board. Passengers are currently being transported to safety.”
