Search and rescue operation brings 20 persons safely onshore

A search and rescue operation was launched off the coast of Punta Gorda this afternoon after a water taxi travelling from Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, reportedly encountered difficulties at sea with about twenty passengers onboard.  The vessel, identified as the Pichilingo, prompted a response involving personnel from the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, TIDE, after the organization was alerted to the situation shortly before one o’clock.  TIDE Operations Director Stephanie Supaul told Love News Senior Correspondent Paul Mahung that Dayton Ramirez of the Belize Port Authority contacted them and reported that the Pichilingo was experiencing problems at sea.  Edwardo Bochub, who assisted in the operation, also spoke with Mahung about what the rescue team encountered after heading out to sea and the efforts undertaken to assist the vessel and its passengers.

Stephanie Supaul, TIDE Operation Manager: “Apparently they were encountering some problems at sea. So we were able to launch our boat to assist with the search and rescue and Mr. Eduardo Buchub was able to assist us in taking out the boat and rescuing the people.”

Eduardo Buchub: “When I got there it was approximately about maybe a mile or two south of Orange Point. And when I got there I saw some water in the vessel. It was pretty rough. So I asked all the passengers to cross over in our vessel and we transported them back to the Customs Pier and handed them over to the immigration and the Belize Port Authority.”

Paul Mahung, Toledo Correspondent: Would you be able to comment on about how many passengers were in the boat? 

Eduardo Buchub: “Approximately about 20 persons was on board.”

Paul Mahung, Toledo Correspondent: What was the problem with the boat that you rescued? 

Eduardo Buchub: “Yeah, the boat had a little problem with their steering so they couldn’t have move fast so they was taking their time coming in but due to they had a lot of waves and stuff they had problems coming in.”

The Pichilingo operates out of Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, transporting passengers along the southern maritime route.