Chief Rivas Praises Coast Guard Team on Rescue Mission

According to Chief Rivas, the Belizean national is a tour guide. He informed the officers that he had experienced an engine failure, before the boat began to take on water. Rivas says his greatest concern was not knowing if the men were equipped with flotation devices. This, says Rivas, made the mission one of greater urgency.

Chief Rigberto Rivas, Commanding Officer, Hunting Caye Observation Post

“Based on our training you get a coordinate. You start with that coordinate and around it. Based on how the wind is blowing and everything, from there you make your decision on how to do your search pattern. In this occasion the vessel was not too far from the reef, so we figured out something that they will not swim away from the vessel, but into the reef and then they can hold on to something. Hence the reason from one nautical mile we extended to five nautical miles and make sure that nothing gets away from us between that period of time. With that said, it was very challenging, but praise to my team. I have a great team out there and within the communication of the Belize Coast Guard they were advising us what to do and stuff like that. Kudos to my team. I had a great team with me. The Coast Guard is not only about me. The Coast Guard is so proud for us to serve our country and serve our country, the people of Belize and anyone who is in distress. If there is needs be in any water ways, we are there to provide security and search and rescue if needs be. And, myself and from the Coast Guard, that is our job. We are here for the people of Belize.”