Bad situation in Belize!!!

[rleslie]

This is a thread about a boat in distress that anyone considering going to Belize may want to read. We have decided to go elsewhere.

http://www.renegade-cruisers.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1656

Roger Leslie

[divebuddy68]

You have decided to go elsewhere because of that post?

[Hank49]

Are you sailing to Belize? Xcalak is about 20-25 miles north of San Pedro and WAAAAAYYYY past where any dive boats go. I'm sure this guy could take his dinghy to shore and get someone to pull him off the reef. Sheeeesh. a little $$ and all will be well. Wecome to outside the USA.

[RTRski]

Are you sailing to Belize? Xcalak is about 20-25 miles north of San Pedro and WAAAAAYYYY past where any dive boats go. I'm sure this guy could take his dinghy to shore and get someone to pull him off the reef. Sheeeesh. a little $$ and all will be well. Wecome to outside the USA.

Well...there is a lot of info if you read the whole thread to the effect that the entire local government and 'coast guard' is in disarray... True, totally unrelated to dive boats but does make one wonder. Seems he finally did dingy to shore, then had to find someone with dual citizenship to take him back - and his boat was stripped already. And still on the reef and breaking up, depending on whose posts you believe...

Wasn't Belize touted as this wonderful expatriate haven for retirees some time ago? No income tax, free international banking, etc etc... Sort of sounds like the old "TANSTAAFL" principle is coming due.

Might still go there to dive. But cross it off the short list for eventual warm-water retirement... ;)