Bacalar Lagoon’s New Navigation Zones

Bacalar, Quintana Roo — The General Rules of Navigation for the Bacalar Lagoon, soon to be published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación, establish five delimited zones for navigation in the lagoon, located in the south of the Mexican Caribbean.

Roman Bustos Gomez, Port Captain of Chetumal and Bacalar, informed the maritime community that uses the Bacalar Lagoon of the established zones. They are as follows: Zone One, Navigation with Caution, which comprises the coastline up to 50 meters towards the center of the lagoon. This zone is designated for swimmers and the docking and departure maneuvers of small recreational and sports vessels, with a speed that must not exceed 7.4 kilometers per hour.

Zone Two is designated for Low-Speed Navigation, with a maximum speed of 18.52 kilometers per hour for all types of vessels. Zone Three is for Recreational Tow Navigation, intended for towing activities and water skiing. Circulation in this zone will be in a clockwise direction at a speed no greater than 37 kilometers per hour.

Also established is Zone Four, for Personal Watercraft Navigation, where the use of personal watercraft is permitted. Circulation will also be in a clockwise direction at a speed no greater than 37 kilometers per hour. Finally, Zone Five is a Navigation Restriction Zone. This encompasses the area known as "Los Rápidos," the connecting channel between the Bacalar and Xul-Há lagoons, and the area known as "El Canal de los Piratas."

Navigation in the Los Rápidos area is restricted for motor and sailboats. In the Canal de los Piratas, navigation will only be permitted for vessels with motor propulsion and with authorization from the Port Captaincy of Chetumal and Bacalar.

The federal official explained to attendees that his department will be specifically responsible for matters related to navigation, while environmental protection measures fall to other federal, state, and municipal authorities. He stated these environmental measures are related to comprehensive strategies that include containing water runoff from the mountains of Campeche, controlling agrochemicals, reforestation to reinforce natural containment barriers, drainage systems, wastewater treatment plants, and, primarily, greater citizen awareness.

He explained that the rules are intended to establish minimum safety provisions for navigation aboard any type of propulsion vessel, as well as measures for the use of docks, ramps, and launch sites. It will be mandatory for all vessels navigating the Bacalar Lagoon to carry a copy of the rules.

He added that the General Rules of Navigation for the Bacalar Lagoon were designed based on contributions from the experience and knowledge of local researchers but can be modified if necessary. He explained that there are sensitive areas, marked with buoys, where access is not permitted. In these zones, no type of vessel or swimmers are allowed.