An US registered vessel is stuck on the barrier reef in the area of Hatchet Caye located east-northeast of Placencia.

The Fisheries Department reports that vessel was grounded around 5:00 on Saturday. On-board are three Colombians, four Guatemalans and one American citizen.

The vessel had left the Port of Livingston, Guatemala on Friday morning headed for the Big  Port Creek.

A task force comprising the Department of Environment, Immigration and the Belize Port Authority has been deployed to investigate.