Worse Things Happen at Sea!

On June 22, No Worries, a dive boat, capsized at the El Norte Bar far north of Ambergris Caye, Belize. Three paying divers were underwater at the time, a father, son and daughter. For the daughter, it was an interesting introduction to open water diving; it was her first open-water dive after being certified! They surfaced to find their boat beneath the surface at an angle.

The vessel's captain and mate had already been rescued and raised the alarm, so the divers hung on to a mooring buoy until recovered from the water. The three had nothing but praise for their divemaster, but they lost personal items including cash. The boat was later towed back in.

Our informant tells us when he talked to Everette Anderson, the head of the San Pedro Tour Guides Association, he said that is the second time No Worries sank. When he told tour operator Chip of Palapa Tours what Everette said, Chip replied, "Actually, it's the third [time]," but neither Everette nor Chip gave any more details.

During the week of the incident, Ambergris Caye had been subject to heavy rains and rough seas. The National Meteorological Service had issued an advisory warning for small craft that day. The Belize Port Authority continues to investigate to determine whether criminal charges should be laid against No Worries Tours.