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The tragic deaths have highlighted the lack of regulatory oversight in a fast growing water taxi industry. Today, the Ministers of Transport and Tourism said that oversight and requirements will be enhanced:...

Hon. Manuel Heredia- Minister of Tourism
"At cabinet we had agreed that even the local ones will have to produce a manifest. I don't know if that has gone into effect but definitely we have been working on that and I believe that two or three months ago it was agreed that supposed to come into effect as early as possible. Definitely we need to have that. If an accident occurs you can immediately know how many people were there, who is missing or what's not. This boat, according to the former owner, they usually would not fill their tanks to maximum capacity because of the fumes and what not. I am not an expert at that but the new management that took over they were filling the tanks way to the top and then it overflowed because it was not the tank itself that exploded but the overflow of the gases that went into the build. That is what actually exploded. So, there might be a little negligence on that part. But we have to be a little more careful. Particularly because a lot of tourists travel by boat now with our local runs. So, we have to be a little more careful and make sure that this boats are properly checked before they leave, make sure that they adhere to the rules and regulations of safety."

Jules Vasquez
"Minister, with the greatest respect, we don't have to be a little more careful. We have to be a lot more careful. Two girls are dead. I know they are not tourists but two girls are dead and it is a terrible loss for the family. The fact is that a manifest won't fix it. We need real enforcement. There are too many water taxis, your family is in the business, we know that they don't want enforcement because it will slow the flow."

Reporter
"As it relates to the inspection of the boat or the vessel itself."

Hon. Edmond Castro
"Yes that said vessel had been inspected in December. I can't recall if it was in December 14th."

Reporter
"Yes it was in December but my question pertains more to inspection before the boat departs from a port or a dock. When they leave Belize to go to Chetumal they are checked by port authority, I believe the Fire department."

Hon. Edmond Castro
"Well, I believe the same standard is across the board. So, we have personnel at port authority that water taxis docks."

Reporter
"Are you confirming that port authority check that boat before."

Hon. EDMOND Castro
"No I can't say so. But I said we have personnel from port authority at all the water taxi docks currently, every time and that is a standard thing."

Hon. Manuel Heredia
"And you are properly right. If it had been a tourist like that, you know the number one industry, something like 30 something percent of our GDP. If we lose that we are in serious trouble. So, we have to be more efficient and make sure that we are as tough as possible when it comes to safety both at sea and in the air."