1 week ago
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The search continues tonight for fisherman Samuel Chi, who remains missing at sea. Family members confirmed that Albert Vaccaro, who was with Chi, was located at around eleven thirty this morning some eight miles from where they were to be docking. The two men reportedly left on a fishing trip yesterday but did not return as expected. It raised concerns for the family who then prompted a search operation. Efforts have focused on the waters between the Caye Caulker Split and Vista Del Mar, where the men were last heard from. Lieutenant Mark Choc of the Belize Coast Guard provided an update to Love News on the operation and the areas being searched.
LT. Mark Cho, Belize Coast Guard: “The Coast Guard received information yesterday at around 9:40pm. There was an overdue vessel that apparently departed somewhere around Caye Caulker area around 6pm yesterday. They were supposed to return back to Vista Del Mar however, they didn’t arrive hence the report was made. Our Coast Guard received this information around 9:40pm yesterday. As a result, the Coast Guard activated a search and rescue operation at around 10pm by deploying the Caye Caulker patrol to conduct a search from Caye Caulker to Vista Del Mar areas. At midnight last night the patrol have confirmed that they were still not able to find this missing person. As a result, at about 1am in the morning, this morning, a secondary surface asset was deployed to support the search and rescue effort. This morning the update we got is that the vessels and the person were still missing. Therefore this resulted in the activation of a joint search and rescue operation which involved the Belize Port Authority and the Belize Fisheries Department. As a result at around 11:30 am the Coast Guard patrol was able to locate Mr. Albert Vacarro. He was located at the southwest of Hicks Caye approximately 10 miles north of Belize City at about five miles from the coastline. He was transported to the Belize Coast Guard Headquarters Medic Center where he received a medical assessment. And so far we have confirmed that he was transported to the KHMH for further medical assistance. Mr. Vacarro was found floating in the water when he was recovered. He was dehydrated and he was disoriented not being able to give us clear information of how the incident or what happened. So far this situation is still under investigation and the second person Mr. Samuel Chi is still pending and also the vessel is still missing.”
The circumstances surrounding Vaccaro’s discovery have not yet been fully disclosed. Authorities have also not said what may have happened to the vessel or how Chi and Vaccaro became separated while at sea. Dylon Leal, who is participating in the search, gave Love News an overview of what led them to alert the authorities.
Dillon Leal, Search and Rescue: “They were just on the island, they did some fishing earlier in the day. They sent in some pictures so we know they were fishing and then they went to have lunch and socialized a little bit with friends on the island. And then after that they texted and said that they were leaving the island around seven. We’ve contacted the Coast Guard. They’ve responded. They’ve sent a vessel and they’ve since then kept searching for the individuals. The two guys are well known fishermen. They wouldn’t go out if they didn’t have enough fuel especially leaving the island I’m sure, they had sufficient fuel to get back home. Please reach out and hopefully we can get our friends and families back home safe.”
Search teams are continuing to comb the area in hopes of finding Chi and recovering the missing vessel. Authorities are also seeking information from boaters and residents who may have seen the men or their vessel after they left on Sunday. Anyone with information that could assist the search is asked to contact the Belize Coast Guard or the nearest police station immediately
English (US) ·