Belizean Authorities respond to the Grounding Incident of Motor Vessel Herca-1

On 26th March 2023, the Belize Port Authority responded to a marine incident involving a 98.25 meters Panamanian-registered general cargo vessel “HERCA-1”. The vessel was transiting Belizean waters en route to Port Everglades from their last port call in Puerto Cortes. The vessel is carrying containers and break-bulk cargo.

Belize and the United Kingdom sign MOU on the Ocean Country Partnership Programme

The Governments of Belize and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Ocean Country Partnership Programme at a ceremony held at the British High Commissioner’s Residence on March 29.

The Ocean Country Partnership Programme is funded by the Blue Plant Fund through Official Development Assistance (ODA) and has three thematic areas of focus: marine biodiversity, marine pollution, and sustainable seafood. The programme provides support to partnering countries by establishing a collaborative framework to strengthen marine science expertise, develop science-based policy and management tools, and create educational resources for coastal communities.

This agreement is between the Government of the United Kingdom, represented by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Government of Belize represented by the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation as the lead agency, the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise and the Ministry of Economic Development respectively.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by C.E.O. Kennedy Carrillo on behalf of the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, C.E.O. Dr. Kenrick Williams on behalf of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management,

C.E.O. Servulo Baeza on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, and C.E.O. Dr. Osmond Martinez on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Development and Her Excellency, Nicole Davison, British High Commissioner to Belize on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom.

Belize is the second country worldwide and first country in the Caribbean to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the United Kingdom for the Ocean Country Partnership Programme.

At approximately 0400 hours on 26th March 2023, the Herca-1 experienced mechanical failure and ran aground at position 17'29’30.83” N, 088' 02’ 36.58” W, east of the Drowned Cayes. The vessel remains grounded, and the salvage operation will commence shortly under the supervision of the Department of the Environment, Belize Port Authority and the Belize Coast Guard.

The vessel has been detained pending an investigation into the grounding incident, environmental impacts, and damage assessment. A joint team comprising the Belize Port Authority, Department of the Environment, Belize Coast Guard, and Fisheries Department are attending to the incident. Upon inspection, the vessel does not pose a threat of pollution at this time, as its hull remains intact. However, damage assessment to the marine environment is still ongoing.

Once dislodged from its grounded position, the vessel will remain detained until the investigation and damage assessment concludes. The 13 crew members onboard are safe and cooperating with Belizean Authorities in the conduct of the investigation. The Belize Port Authority has also duly informed the Flag State of the marine incident and the ship’s status.