With the summer vacation season approaching, the Port Captaincy of Chetumal and Bacalar detected safety issues in approximately 10% of tourist vessels in Quintana Roo.
The maritime authority ordered the temporary suspension of these vessels until they correct the irregularities detected during mandatory annual inspections.
The head of the Chetumal Port Captaincy, Román Bustos Gómez, explained that these ongoing operations are carried out in Bacalar Lagoon, Chetumal Bay, and Milagros Lagoon to guarantee maritime safety in Quintana Roo.
The most frequent violations are not serious, but they compromise the well-being of passengers.
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Common violations on vessels in Bacalar and Chetumal
According to authorities, the current registry lists approximately 2,000 vessels that navigate in the southern part of the state. The main deficiencies that prevent obtaining the safety certificate are:
Lifesaving devices and life jackets in poor condition.
Minor structural damage to the hulls.
Defective navigation lights.
Expired fire extinguishers or those without the required recharge.
“We estimate that around 10 percent of the vessels inspected require a second inspection. These are not serious problems, but rather observations that must be addressed to guarantee the safety of passengers and crew,” stated Bustos Gómez. Those owners who do not correct the deficiencies within the given timeframe will not be allowed to operate during the summer.
Mandatory training for nautical service providers
With the aim of reducing informality and risks on the water, the Port Authority has been promoting low-cost Basic Safety courses for nautical service providers since 2024.
In this regard, they announced a new training session in Bacalar on July 20th and 21st, with 70 operators already registered.
This workshop is essential for obtaining or renewing the Bacalar Seaman’s Book, a federal document valid for five years and vital for the legal transportation of tourists.
To date, four editions of this program have helped approximately 350 nautical operators obtain the required documentation.
As a result, the number of crew members without the required documentation in southern Quintana Roo has been steadily decreasing.
Source: 24horasqroo
