Port Authority Sanctions Floyd Brown for Destroying Reef

Floyd Brown was much in the news in 2005. He is the older brother of Andrew "Pawpa" Brown who faced extradition to Miami for drug trafficking. He is also the same Floyd Brown whose maid was brutally murdered when two thieves ransacked his Lord's Bank home. Also in 2005 Floyd Brown was the captain of the "Belize Glory" catamaran when it careened onto the barrier reef near Caye Chapel in October. Brown had 86 tourists onboard who received degrees of injuries. He also damaged the reef.

Last month the Port Authority finished their investigation into the accident and found that Floyd Brown's negligence caused the accident because he disregarded the onboard GPS and was speeding. For his offense Brown faced a license suspension or complete revocation but Harbor Master Lloyd Jones told us they chose neither. Instead for the next year, Brown is banned from captaining any passenger boat bigger than 65 feet.

It's a cute compromise which Jones says they chose because they were concerned about brown being able to earn a living. It's even cuter because there are no catamarans in Belize under 65 feet so for the next year, he probably still won't be able to work. Brown had appealed the decision but the decision was upheld. After six months he can reapply for a full license. Brown is also reportedly facing a lawsuit from the department of the environment for the damage to the reef.