Authorities Respond to Boat Video Showing Standing Passengers

The Belize Port Authority (BPA) and San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi have issued official statements in response to a viral video circulating on social media showing several passengers standing on the lower deck of a passenger vessel.

The Belize Port Authority confirmed awareness of the video and assured the public that passenger safety remains a top priority. It said that it continues to engage with vessel operators to ensure compliance with the country’s maritime safety standards, but also noted that vessel owners bear primary responsibility for the safety and well-being of all passengers aboard.

“Compliance with safety protocols is a shared obligation,” the BPA stated. “We encourage all operators to consistently uphold these standards.”

The public is encouraged to report any safety concerns by contacting BPA via telephone at 222-5666, the emergency line 966, or through their official social media channels.

In a separate public notice, San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi clarified the context of the footage. The company explained that the vessel shown is a double-deck craft, and that the passengers seen standing on the lower deck had temporarily moved from the upper level due to unexpected rainfall. This brief relocation, they said, led to a temporary gathering in the lower section.

The company asserted that all vessels display clear capacity limits, and are inspected daily and approved for dispatch by BPA representatives. “The video appears to have been shared with the sole intent of drawing media attention, rather than accurately representing the circumstances,” the notice added.