A maritime emergency response was triggered in Belize over the weekend when the Caribbean Sprinter water taxi vessel ‘Not Slow’ ran aground in mangrove forests during its scheduled route. The incident occurred on December 13, 2025, approximately twenty minutes into the vessel’s journey from Belize City toward the cayes through a channel locally known as ‘Short Cut.’
Preliminary reports indicate the vessel, bearing registration number BZ0168 and operated by Caribbean Sprinters Limited, was transporting forty-six passengers and three crew members when it apparently lost navigational control and veered off course before becoming lodged in dense mangrove vegetation. Emergency protocols were immediately activated following the incident.
The Belize Port Authority (BPA) coordinated rescue efforts alongside the vessel operator’s support teams, successfully evacuating all individuals aboard without reports of serious injuries. Medical personnel conducted evaluations at the scene, with four persons subsequently transported to healthcare facilities for additional treatment and observation as a precautionary measure.
Caribbean Sprinters Limited has acknowledged the incident while suggesting adverse weather conditions—including heavy rainfall and compromised visibility—may have contributed to the grounding. The vessel has been dry-docked pending completion of a comprehensive investigation.
Ports Commissioner Kaylon Young confirmed the BPA has initiated a dual-focused investigation examining both safety protocol breaches and potential legal violations. ‘We are conducting a holistic investigation from both safety and legal standpoints,’ Commissioner Young stated. ‘This requires determining the root cause and implementing preventive measures, whether through improved channel markings, enhanced master training, or additional lighting installations.’
The investigation will determine whether operational infractions occurred while developing enhanced safety measures for future maritime operations in Belize’s coastal waterways.
