Last night at around 7 o'clock, A 40-foot Vessel ran aground on the Barrier Reef just in front of the eastern side of San Pedro Town, right in plain view of persons who were on the beachfront of island town.
The vessel, seen here in a photo form the San Pedro Sun, is named "Connie Sue", and is registered in Florida, and according to reports, her captain, 66 year-old Roger Day, , was heading to the United States from Guatemala. While the vessel was approaching Ambergris Caye, it allegedly started to have engine problems, and took on water.
The captain then sent out a distress call which was answered by the employees of Amigos Del Mar, which was nearby. By that time, the vessel ran aground on the reef, and there is evidence of significant damage.
Personnel from Coast Guard told us that they and the Belize Port Authority were immediately informed, and they dispatched a team to investigate. The Sun reports that the investigators suspect that some of the engine's fuel may have leaked into the sea, which compounds the damage.
The Coast Guard told us that they intended to get the vessel off the reef later this afternoon, and the Belize authorities intend to take action against the captain for the damage to the reef. It has inflamed the boating community of San Pedro, who are dismayed that more damage is being done to the reef.
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