…But cops rule out foul play

But as the families of the missing continue to hope their loved ones will be found, police investigators have been carefully analyzing the Ocean Hopper and other pieces of recovered property in an attempt to determine what may have transpired on Sunday.

Supt. Aaron Guzman, Officer Commanding C.I.B.
“We did process the boat so see if there were any signs of blood in the boat, and that is just for us to cover that angle and we have found none so far. It may vary why there was no blood found in the boat. We hope it’s for the better that nobody was injured onboard the boat, but it could be because the boat was in water for some time. That is up for the technician to do his final analysis on it. However, based on advice that I got from a senior boat builder, a person who is well versed with the sea, based on what we have seen on that boat, we are looking at an accident.”

“The divers have come up with nothing, neither has the Coast Guard search team. However, the Coast Guard have posted their people on two islands out there to continue the search tomorrow.”

Janelle Chanona
“Is there a cut-off point where the police will get in and say, we will take over this as a criminal investigation or is it still very much in the air?”

Supt. Aaron Guzman
“It’s still very much in the air because nothing that we have suggests a criminal investigation at this point, but we have to be involved because there is a loss of property or some folks are lost out there. So we must be involved but we are not taking the lead role, we will follow the Coast Guard for step and let them take the lead role right now. They will make a determination when it is that they will make a cut-off point for the search at sea.”

Janelle Chanona
“What would be your message to the mariners out there who are still left up to their own speculations? Is it safe to be at sea?”

Supt. Aaron Guzman
“I believe from a police standpoint, yes, it is safe to be at sea. As far as we know there are no pirates in Belize, but I would then go with the advice of the Coast Guard and the Port Authority which stresses on safety at sea.”

Police are asking anyone with any information that may assist investigators to please contact the nearest station or Crimestoppers at 0-800-922-8477.