Yesterday, the Belize National Coast Guard took the retrograde position of "deny, deny, deny" when we inquired about a stolen vessel. That only brought double shame upon them: first, for having a vessel stolen from right beneath their noses, and, second, to be caught plainly lying when the press inquired about the theft.
So today, the Acting Coast Guard Commander called to fill us in with details. First, a word about that post: John Borland is no longer commander - he hasn't been for three months - the new commander is Elton Bennett.
He is on leave, but called us today and freely provided all the facts about the theft of the vessel.
He confirmed that the confiscated Colombian 39 foot vessel - which they use for quick response - was tied to the pier. At 11:30 on Sunday night a crew of thieves swam to the vessel, loosed it from the pier and dragged it out to sea. He says a guardsman fired 12 rounds from his M-16 rifle but to no avail. A getaway vessel pulled up, tied up the Coast Guard's boat and towed it away, heading south.
Bennett says they saturated the area with Coast Guard vessels and launched a massive search - including chartering an airplane. On Tuesday morning the vessel was found on Southern long caye,12 miles northeast of Dangriga and 30 miles southeast of Belize city.
It was within the cay - inside a lagoon, hidden in some mangroves. The engines were intact and nothing had been stolen.
He says two persons are detained and they are still seeking the mastermind behind the theft.
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