I read a letter to the Editor in the San Pedro Sun this week that describes the rescue of a tourist. He was found sitting on the reef, all cut up (the reef is very sharp) and he had capsized his kayak 2 hours prior. The current was too strong for him to swim against and he had tired quickly.

The other day my business partner came to work and said that he had just talked a visitor out of taking a kayak for a paddle. We had a norther blowing.

Who exactly is responsible for cautioning our visitors about the dangers of paddling during different types of weather conditions? Often times the sea off the east coast and inside the reef is lovely and calm to look at when we have a norther - but anybody from here knows that once you get off the coast a little the breeze is stiff and can easily push you over the reef where the sea is anything but calm.

We need to be more responsible and aware of the fact that our visitors don't know about the weather and sea conditions and many are not even active most of the year, then they attempt to go gung ho - snorkeling, hiking, scuba diving, kayaking etc for the brief one or 2 week visit.

Agree 100% about the weather/northerner aspect of being on the water --- if you get swept away, the next stop is either Turneffe or Jamaica.

But equally - or even more critically - I have to wonder about the common sense of anybody who sets out on the sea alone - swimming, snorkeling, diving or kayaking - regardless of the weather. You can drown in 2 inches of water if you have an accident and there is nobody to help you.

I imagine whoever gives out kayaks would be responsible for advising of sea conditions just like the people who rent out golf carts are (or should be) responsible for explaining our rules of the road.

I often tell my guests when its not a good day for kayaking or that they shouldn't attempt a paddle out to the reef because it is farther than it looks but if they don't listen and go anyway, it would be their own fault if they get into trouble. Thankfully, I haven't had to rescue anyone yet! (knocking on wood)

I would suggest that any resort who has kayaks, etc., keep them locked and require guests to check them out, WITH a life vest. We don't have any, but I think this might solve the problem. We are friends with the people who wrote this letter and they were alarmed by the incident.

Diane - I know what you are saying, but how many times have we all commented on the apparent lobotomy some guests have before they arrive on vacation. Many do so many things they would NEVER do at home. And they are gullible, trusting, naive and even just plain stupid in their actions. Yet in their home towns they are well respected and considered smart, cautious and wise.

I think that there is an onus on us, as residents of San Pedro, to at least point out the risks and dangers and potential problems that can occur. I am not saying we should scare people, but we should caution them.

I can barely cross a road in Miami by myself - because I am so out of my element. I have found myself in many situations that, looking back, I should have given a little more consideration to. But ignorance really is bliss sometimes.

I am just glad that I have so far managed to live to be a fool another day!

Random thoughts on water safety and vacations ---

I've heard that God watches after drunks and babies - I think probably tourists too, which is a very nice thing indeed. Given the risky behaviour I observe daily, things are really pretty darn good here.

The scariest stuff I see visitors do around the water ......

1. swim laps in boat lanes

2. take kayaks out alone (in any weather)

3. people who can't swim at all (or who are in poor physical condition) going kayaking

4. the northerner thing that started this conversation

5. hard-partying on docks in the night

6. screaming in or near the water when there is nothing wrong - the "boy who cried wolf" syndrome kicks in after a while and it's very possible we won't respond when there is a real emergency

Anyway - I think it would be good for resorts to chain their water toys up in risky weather ..... and yes agree totally, we as residents should take the time to kindly advise our guests when they are about to do something ill-advised. We should do it as nicely as we can, and should not tire of offering a helping hand whenever possible.

I also think it is impossible for any resort operator to keep tabs on the whereabouts of their guests - it's not practical and I don't think anybody wants to stay in a resort where they have to sign in and out.

My wife feels strongly that my jumping with reaper falls into this category of foolish tourist activity. I disagree, of course.

Recently a fellow from Canada was on the mainland and drove a jet ski across a lake, and never came back - he couldn't swim and didn't have a life jacket. May he RIP.

I don't know where the line is on who should monitor such activities.

I just speak my mind, make my concerns known and hope for the best.

Maybe impossible to know where your guests are at all times, but knowing that one of your guests took out a kayak or another water sport item would at least alert someone at the hotel that a guest is missing.

Amanda - we have never met but I can say with no reservations whatsoever that I like your postings and opoinions and with out a doubt I would like you.

I often venture out on the kayak without a life jacket or any other safety equipment and in general I do this early in the morning when there is not much boat traffic. You know it has never crossed my mind. I have also rescued folks out at sea and they just don't realize how quickly you can get yourself into trouble.

TravelinMan1, you may not know that your wife keeps an eye on you and if you're gone longer than normal she is on the roof with the binoculars looking out for you.

TravelinMan1 - okay, how about this, why don't you strap a lifejacket to your kayak, along with a bottle of water and a light weight shirt - if you do every blow away you will increase your chances of survival with just these few simple items.

Boy are you lucky JZB is keeping an eye on you!

It's Common sense.

When kayaking wear a flotation device, make sure someone knows where you are going & when you expect to return.

You never know what could happen, A Boat could hit you , a shark tips you over, you could have a medical situation or you could get pushed through a cut in the reef and not be able to paddle back.

what would happen if you lose your paddle?

Guys I have a very different attitude about this and wish you would please entertain it for a moment.
No one should be allowed to visit the reef with out a guide.

Its not likely to ever happen that we stop people from going to the reef unescorted but its the way it should be .
They damage the reef and are in personal danger.

I agree with Elbert. We have watched from the beach as visitors in tour boats try to snorkel through a cut in the reef to get to the other side. When they get stranded they stand on the reef. So far no one has been injured, but I know the reef has. And this is occurring within the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve.

We need to educate our guests as to protocol around corals. In 1993 when we became certified divers in San Pedro, our instructor told us he would throw us out of the water is we dared touch anything. I haven't heard this said since.

I tell all my guests to paddle out into the wind so they will blow back on return and that they can not cross the reef. Getting lost on the other side of the reef is much more serious than some may think. It has been years but folks have run out of gas, have no anchor, high tide, north wind wash over the reef and they get found 3 days later on Turneffe burnt like bacon. Or not.

Locals too?

Whats a local Phil...
Yes If they are not a guide or escorted by one they should not be on the reef.
Locals is a broad term, the community has a population of people now that aren't sons, of sons of fisherman, not like it used to be. We've locals nowadays that are equally as ignorant of the waters as Tourist.
No one should be visiting the reef that isn't with a guide.

I would imagine that all locals have a friend or family member that is a tour guide.

370 licensed in the villag...Town of San Pedro.

but the issue of who is local and who is not is abstract and hardly
relevant to the offence.
The largest cause of the damage and my greatest concern is hotels sending out tourist to the reef in rented craft w/o a guide. This is the danger to the reef and the tourist.

I agree that people snorkeling and diving are the largest cause of damage to the reef. I would add to that most of that damage is done while in the company of tour guides. I am not convinced that having a tour guide go with every person is going to be a good thing for either the reef or tourism.

My needing a tour guide to go to Hol chan for a snorkel or outside the reef for a dive is a choice I should be able to make not the government.

I think that anyone going out with rented Kayaks etc. should have a guide..I think the locals can handle themselves.

don't be so sure...rescued a couple of locals, who had capsized/swamped their boat a few years back. they were lucky a simple "tourist" happened to spot them, as i am sure we were the only ones around.

Accidents can happen to anyone that is a fact!

Thanks goodness we have lots of good Samaritans here.

[quote=Amanda Syme]Diane - I know what you are saying, but how many times have we all commented on the apparent lobotomy some guests have before they arrive on vacation. Many do so many things they would NEVER do at home. And they are gullible, trusting, naive and even just plain stupid in their actions.

hardly an accident.........

how about "just plain stupid in their actions"...drunk/stoned and without proper safety gear

So is the concensus that a Belizean who wants to go fishing, snorkelling, swimming, diving etc near the reef in a non park area should have a Tour Guide with them? I look forward to see you telling any Belizean this - including me.

I am with ya Phil. Just plain ridiculous.

Does the guide provide his/her own kayak? How much per hour would the guide charge? I doubt you are going to convince a local or a tourist that they need to spent an additional $50 or so to have a guide with them. You just can't prevent stupid people from doing stupid things.

Phil..You tell 'em.
When my boyfriend and I go out to the reef in a kayak, we are smart and would not dream of going out without
1. Telling people where we are going and when we will be back.
2. We have life vests available for use.
3. Checking the weather conditions out first and this usually involves speaking with a tour operator/guide/boat captain type prior to heading out.
4. Going alone.

Two years ago, I was with a tour guide that didn't get into the water with us at all, told us to 'swim over that way, don't touch the reef.." etc, while he sat in a boat texting. About a million things could have happened.
Also, we were left on the reef by another operator because my mom couldn't get back into the boat because of her arthritis. They came back to get us and had we had been underexpeienced we would have possibly gotten hurt or not come back at all. We just stayed on our little sand dune and waited it out.

Oh yes, and our first experience diving left my mom and uncle swept out in a current the operator didn't seem to know about and they got picked up by another boat.
Yes, these are some very bad examples of poor professionalism, and we have had some AWESOME tour guides also.
But my point is that you can't legislate and license common sense.

On The Other Hand... One of our guys got a 500 dollar reward for rescuing a kayaker that had been swept out by currents . After dark his kayak was found floating without him. Got a call from a worried hotel manager.
We sent out our boats and found him swimming alone in the dark in the open ocean beyond the reef no fins no life jacket.
Yes On The Other Hand keep on sending them out, the money is good!
_________________________

Send more tourists.
The last ones were delicious.

IMHO you have to be a serious moron, or a serious bad ass that knows what hes doing to go on the other side of the reef. Without a boat & tour guide. In the past year or so I've swam to the reef dozens of times (alone), kayaked (alone), and done both with friends too (all strong swimmers). I do all these things knowing full well the risks and take as many precautions as i care to in order to balance them a bit. If i swim i usually drag a tube or kayak with me to put my fish/water/spears etc in; also I keep them close to not get hit by a boat.

But,
Going on the otherside of the reef scares the hell out of me. And I spear fish barracuda lol. Anytime I go out there I make sure that there is a big ass nice chunk of reef between me and the open ocean. Honestly most of the places I go to spear/snorkel I can almost stand up in.

I think it should be a simple simple rule that resorts tell people. Dont go on the other side of the reef. Ever. And stay away from splits so it doesnt happen easily.

Anyway, glad that dude is ok. Im sure he and most people he knows will be a lot more careful next time.

AC

ps. I dont need anyone telling me how dumb I am for going out there alone. i already know. thanks.

that dude is lucky to have you guys. I know who to tell Anny to call when I dont come back home at dark! haha.