Sailing SV Cordeliavideo
TOWED Off a Sandbar — Our WORST Day in Belize
July 10, 2026 · 19 min · 2K views · Belize
Steve in dinghy passes tow line to grounded Cordelia
What this video covers
SV Cordelia, a Venus Ketch, ran aground on a sandbar while departing the Twin Cays mangrove area in Belize.5:45 The crew attempted to free the vessel by running the engine in forward and reverse at full throttle, but the boat remained stuck in 1.6 meters of water.6:39 A buddy boat, Aladdin, successfully pulled SV Cordelia off the sandbar by attaching a line to the stern while the crew operated in reverse.10:32 During the maneuver, the tow line fouled the propeller, requiring the crew to clear the line before proceeding.12:28 The incident occurred while navigating shallow, uncharted waters near the Belize Barrier Reef, where coral heads are widespread and require constant vigilance.2:31 Following the grounding, the crew traveled to Placencia to renew their visas and perform maintenance on the generator, specifically replacing a snapped recoil starter cord.16:04
More from Sailing SV Cordelia
From Sailing SV Cordelia — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.