Boat Manifest Gets Cabinet’s Green Light

Fifteen days ago, on August first, the directive issued by the Belize Port Authority for a mandatory boat manifest for water taxi companies came into effect. The B.P.A.’s directive came under the Water Taxi Regulations Statutory Instrument twenty-nine of 2019. Persons traveling from the mainland to the island via these companies will need to present an identification card to purchase a ticket. The manifest will provide the relevant authorities exit and entrance information to keep track of the number of persons traveling back and forth from the mainland and the islands. Tourism Minister and Belize Rural South Area Representative Manuel Heredia Junior spoke on this latest development.

Manuel Heredia Jr.

Manuel Heredia Jr., Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“At cabinet, I had been bringing this not only the last time but previous to that. Minister Castro had been tasked in working with that and I think he took a little too long but today we can proudly say that it has gone into effect. I spoke to the bigger water taxis, San Pedro Belize Express about what is there feeling. They fully support it. It has been a little inconvenient because a lot of people do not have an identification card but in a way it is good for the police and everybody because if everybody have to show an identification then that manifest will have to come fifteen minutes before it has to arrive or be sent to the local authorities over here and Port Authority so it will be in the best interest of everybody. We are talking about crime so that will be one way to help us a little to identify who are coming in the boats.”