Caribbean Sprinter Runs Aground; 46 Passengers Evacuated Safely

A Caribbean Sprinter water taxi ran aground over the weekend, prompting an emergency response and the evacuation of passengers on board. According to multiple preliminary reports, the vessel carrying forty-six passengers and three crew members encountered difficulty while traveling through a channel, a short-cut between Belize City and the cayes, on Saturday. Images and videos show the boat lodged in mangroves after appearing to lose control and veer off its normal route. Authorities say there were no reports of serious injuries, but passengers and crew members were checked by medical personnel and four were taken to a health facility for treatment and observation. Caribbean Sprinter has since acknowledged the incident, noting that weather conditions, including heavy rain and reduced visibility may have played a role. The Belize Port Authority and other relevant agencies are also reviewing the incident. Ports Commissioner Kaylon Young says the vessel named “Not Slow” has been dry docked while the investigation is ongoing.

 

Kaylon Young, Ports Commissioner

“On thirteenth December 2025, the vessel “Not Slow” bearing registration number BZ0168, currently owned by Caribbean Sprinters Limited, was operating it’s normal water taxi run – its ten thirty run from Belize to Caye Chapel, Caye Caulker and San Pedro. About twenty minutes into that route through what is known by locals as Short Cut, the vessel was passing through that area when it collided into a mangrove island. We are currently investigating this incident to see what caused the issue. Upon getting the report, the BPA deployed its assets to the location to assist. San Pedro – Caribbean Sprinters also deployed their vessels to assist and the passengers were safely taken off the boat and taken to their destination. Those passengers that were injured were taken to the seek medical attention. For the Belize Port Authority, any incident like this, we would carry out a safety investigation, which requires us to see what was the root cause of the problem; see why this happened and then how we could put measures in place to ensure that these things are being prevented. Whether it’s markings, whether it’s something from the training from the board masters, whether it’s lighting in the area, something. So we just look and see what’s the root cause of the problem and how we can fix this for next time. If there are infractions against the laws, then of course we would press charges as such. So this investigation is holistic as from a safety standpoint and also from a legal standpoint.”