A hefty fine

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bajanbum

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lighthouse_reef_atoll_250.jpg

Magistrate Ed Usher ruled that Lautner did not exercise due diligence in navigating the Lighthouse Reef Atoll (pictured above). That negligence resulted in damage to a piece of the reef measuring 125 feet by 75 feet.

American heavily fined for damaging Belize reef

BELMOPAN, Belize, June 3, 2009 - Two years after his catamaran destroyed part of the Belize barrier reef, an American man has been ordered by a court to pay BZ$3.4 million (US$1.7 million) for the damage.

David Lautner's BZ$600,000 (US$300,000) boat has also been held until he can pay the money.

He was fined this week for recklessly causing a disaster that resulted in a loss to the environment.

Magistrate Ed Usher ruled that Lautner did not exercise due diligence in navigating the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. That negligence resulted in damage to a piece of the reef measuring 125 feet by 75 feet.

On May 2, 2007, the American was trying to reach harbor in his double hull catamaran, Sun Jam, when it ran aground.

Magistrate Usher said that because of the size of the vessel, 37 feet x 21 feet, Lautner should have hired a pilot and sufficient crew to navigate the reef safely.

Lautner has two months to pay BZ$50,000 (US$25,000) of the total judgment and another five years to pay the balance.

Source
 
I wonder what the magistrate would have done if the owner had hired local crew/captain and still run aground?
 
Funny, they didn't fine Cousteau when he blew a channel into it with dynamite.
 
Sounds like an easy way for them to raise some money.
 
I'm surprised that a balsa core hull could do much that damage to coral, it is usually the other way around.
 
From a friend on the way to the Bahama's.

"Launched the dinghy and headed to the marina to check in. On the way I came into an area of shallow water. I didn’t think too much of it. I lifted the motor and eased on into deeper water. I was met in the deeper water by the man in charge of the waste pump-out boat. He informed me (not so politely) that I had just come across a sea grass bed. Got a good chewing for that one. Now I understand why he is the captain of the doo-doo boat for the marina. Definitely not your public relations kind of fella. "

"I packed the dinghy and headed for the marina, carefully avoiding the sea grass so as to not to encounter the doo-doo captain. Got my laundry duty completed about 13:00 hrs."

Thought it was pretty funny.
 
quote:
Originally posted by L. Keith

I'm surprised that a balsa core hull could do much that damage to coral, it is usually the other way around.

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I would imagine that photos would have been presented to prove the case.
 
The reef will rebuild itself. This sounds like a grand slam scam to me. Someone wants a 37X21 cat free of charge.
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

The reef will rebuild itself.

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Yeah, in like a few decades or more. Coral is not exactly the fastest growing stuff around.
 
Sure, the Capt ain't responsible. Now if it was a battleship that did the same amount of damage, the fine would be a hundred times and the capt would lose is ship.

Are you or are you not responsible for your vessel.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

The reef will rebuild itself.

Click to expand...


Yeah, in like a few decades or more. Coral is not exactly the fastest growing stuff around.

Click to expand...


So fining him will make it grow faster?
 
[/quote]
So fining him will make it grow faster?
[/quote]
Fining him will certainly not make it grow any slower.
If by fining him it makes other boaters avoid the reef area which results in less boats hitting it, then yes it will grow faster.
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

The reef will rebuild itself. This sounds like a grand slam scam to me. Someone wants a 37X21 cat free of charge.
Click to expand...

On my last visit to Barbados last July, I saw how bad the coral reefs were damaged since I was a little lad growing up there. All the plant life is gone. All the sea urchins and sea eggs are gone. And I don't think they're coming back.

quote:
Originally posted by KiDa
So fining him will make it grow faster?

Click to expand...

Isn't that like asking if hanging me will bring back the life I took?
 
...maybe hanging you will prevent someone else to think before accidently doing something stoopid.

(nothing against you personally BB)[:I]
 
Easy money. Fine the rich American and make a little extra profit this year.
 
So you think it's OK to go to a neighbors house, pitch a tent in their flower garden and leave with no consequences?
 
Until I sail and explore every square inch of the coastlines of the US, I will not waste my money in Belize. Let them support themselves without the tourist trade. Good luck!
 
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