Big Creek, Belize Explained

Big Creek
Pushpin Map:Belize
Pushpin Map Zoom:3
Pushpin Map Caption:Map of Big Creek location
Country:Belize
Location:Toledo District
Coordinates:16.5142°N -88.4044°W
Locode:BZBGK[1]
Opened:Yes
Berths:3
Draft Depth:11.0 m. in the channel

Port of Big Creek is the only deep-water port facility on the in Country of Belize (just south of the boundary with Stann Creek District), constructed in the 1990s. It is the nation's largest private port.,[2] after Belize City. Big Creek is the main port for Belize's banana industry; citrus fruit and shrimp are also exported from here. It is also the location from which oil, extracted from the fields of Spanish Lookout, is exported.

Facilities

The port is ISPS certified and has 3 berths.[3] Cargoes handled include bananas, citrus fruit and petroleum.[4]

Hurricanes

The port is not a designated safe harbour with regard to hurricane preparedness.[5]

Big Creek was the location in which the Peter Hughes dive boat "Wave Dancer" capsized during Hurricane Iris in October 2001, killing 20 persons, comprising 3 crew members and 17 vacationing divers from Richmond, Virginia.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UNLOCODE (BZ) - BELIZE . www.unece.org . UNECE . 20 October 2020.
  2. Web site: Port of Big Creek, Belize . www.findaport.com . Shipping Guides Ltd . 20 October 2020.
  3. Web site: About Us • Port of Big Creek . Port of Big Creek . 20 October 2020 . 25 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190325012544/http://www.portofbigcreek.com/home/about-us/ . dead .
  4. Web site: Belize Port Authority Maritime Service, Security and Efficiency . Belize Port Authority . 20 October 2020.
  5. Web site: Designated Safe Harbours – Belize Port Authority . Belize Port Authority . 20 October 2020.
  6. News: Associated Press. 2001-10-16. Tornado Spawned by Iris Blamed for Capsizing Boat. USAToday.com. 2013-06-23.