AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Barge Discovered On Reef

The barge did have manufacturer markings. The first one-third they brought in said INDO 97 with 37 under it. Hard to believe damage is minimal to coral. We watched the salvage team toss large chunks of coral out of their way.

I preface my remarks by saying I have not seen the area in question. But, it is interesting to me that when a private vessel whose owners are easily identified, and most often foreign, damage the reef, as in the case of the Azteca dropping anchor on the reef or the sailboats that brushed upon the reef while anchored at night or any of the other similar instances, it is determined that considerable damage is done and huge fines are in order. But when this barge of this size, with no one easily identified to be held responsible, washes upon the reef the response is "the area they estimate that was damaged was 40 feet in width and that extra damage was caused in the area as the barge was being removed; nevertheless the damage was minimal and according to Ms. Forman there was only habitat damage and little coral damage."