Coast Guard rescues stranded dive boat

While the search continues for six men missing at sea, there was a happy ending for thirty-three passengers and crew aboard a vessel named the “Aqua Dive”. Police report that the boat ran aground Monday evening on the reef near Goff’s Caye. The distress call was picked up by the Port Authority and relayed to the National Coast Guard around six-thirty, which then evacuated the stranded people to shore. The Department of Environment will now assess the damage, if any, caused to the reef and follow through with penalties, if warranted.

Meanwhile, the families of the six fishermen missing since last Sunday are still searching for their loved ones. Spokesperson Audrey Matura Shepherd told News Five this evening that although there are fewer private vessels combing the waters, the Coast Guard, Police, and B.D.F. have stepped up their support efforts. Shepherd says the search is expected to continue through the weekend as far south as Glover’s Reef where the body of Magistrate Richard Swift was found.