Several boaters from Ambergris Caye have expressed concerns about nonfunctional navigational lights along the route between Ambergris Caye and Belize City. Because some of the lights, especially those along the channels are not properly working, boaters believe that it can mislead boat captains thus causing them to run aground. The upkeep of the navigational lights is the responsibility of the Belize Port Authority.
According to boat captains, the lights help to guide boaters through very narrow channels near shallow areas. These highly trafficable areas include the San Pedro Marina Channel around Ambergris Caye, Porto Stock between Belize City and Caye Caulker, and the channels along Swallow Caye. These areas, which are used by vessels on a daily basis, including the public water ferries, require experience and knowledge of the waters. The lights are of great help, especially for those who are not well-versed with the area and during times when visibility is low.
According to the Belize Port Commissioner Merlene Bailey-Martinez, the Belize Port Authority has indeed been made aware of situation. Bailey-Martinez explained that they have been making major upgrades to navigational aids, but it is being done in turns starting with the areas of most importance. “The Belize Port Authority has been working to upgrade aids to navigation over the past year, and in fact, we have been reinstalling lights along various channels. Between March and July we spend over $110,000 replacing buoys and lights, especially along English Caye Channel. It was fairly urgent that we dealt with that before moving to other areas,” said Martinez.
According to the Port Commissioner, the next step is to move into critical areas that are highly trafficable and the route between Belize and Ambergris Caye will be a major concentration in the coming year. “We need to assess what needs to be done and identify funding to replace and put in more lights. The Belize Port Authority takes note of the concerns, and next on our agenda is to focus in those areas and other heavily trafficable areas. We know there is need for more navigational aids throughout the country, and because of the amount of commuters on the routes between San Pedro and Belize, it is considered critical to us… We know that we have allowed for the concern to lapse for a while but we are looking to address in the upcoming year.”
Martinez did say however, that while aids to navigation such as lights along routes are very important, it is not the only navigational aid that boat captains have at their disposal. “They do have charts, compasses and GPS so they can invest in making sure they are safer.”
Navigational lights that are used to aid mariners are considered one of the most expensive aids at sea. In fact, long range lights can range in price between $8,000 -$10,000 each, meanwhile a short range light can cost between $2,000 to $2,500. They are self contained and solar powered and long range lights can be spotted anywhere between four to twelve nautical miles, shot-range lanterns are spotted within three to five nautical miles.
Share
Read more
