Sailboat Hits Light House Reef; Canadians Aboard Rescued

The Belize Coast Guard has rescued two Canadians whose sailboat ran aground at Light House Reef on Thursday night. In response to a distress call, the Coast Guard sent out a team and located the Jolie Brise Two at two nautical miles south of Hat Caye. Two feet of water was in the cabin, and two Canadians aboard were rescued and taken to Half Moon Caye.  Officers from the Belize Coast Guard and Rangers from Belize Audubon Society remained on scene and provided security for the night. Today, the Department of the Environment in collaboration with the Belize Port Authority conducted an initial assessment of the damage to the reef as well as a salvage operation of the sailboat. The Canadians have been transferred to Belize City for processing by immigration and the Belize Port Authority.