Anchors Destroying Coral Reefs: Calling for Collaborative Action in Bocas
On Sunday, March 2, 2025, a disturbing incident unfolded off the northwest coast of Solarte Island when a large yacht improperly anchored on the coral reef, causing extensive damage. Local diver and environmental advocate Alexander Jairo Keppel of Bocas Pirates Dive Center witnessed the destruction firsthand and took action to raise awareness.
Eyewitness Account
Keppel and his team were diving near Solarte Island when he noticed the yacht anchored on the coral barrier reef. When he attempted to inform the yacht’s crew, he was met with resistance. “The guy came out, and he said the anchor was on the sand,” Keppel explained. “But I know the area.”
Determined to verify the claim, Keppel dove into the water and found that, while the anchor itself rested on a sand patch, the long, heavy chain had already caused significant damage to the reef. “The physics of anchoring doesn’t mean just the anchor needs to be in a little one-meter square sand patch. It needs the surrounding area too, because what destroyed everything was the chain, not the anchor per se.”
The crew initially agreed to move the anchor properly but instead deployed a submarine, which further damaged the reef upon descent. Frustrated by their disregard for marine life, Keppel recorded a video documenting the destruction.
“If you saw the video, it really breaks your heart,” Keppel lamented. “Especially if you dive like us every day, and you see—it’s like they’re murdering your friends.”
Widespread Destruction
The devastation caused by improper anchoring is not limited to this single incident by any means. According to Keppel and others we spoke to, the same destruction has been occurring off of Isla Colon in “South Anchorage,” where the majority of sailboats anchor directly over coral patches, with chains dragging across fragile ecosystems. This has been happening for years with little intervention.
Community Concerns and Solutions
Randy Rawsthorne Cinski of Caribbean Coral Restoration also recognizes the same damage in the South Anchorage and explains how the issue extends to day-tripping to Zapatillas, “Many the sailboats here go to Zapatillas for their weekend outings and they all drop anchors. We’re seeing a lot of damage to reefs there. This is why it’s important to get anchor points established in the archipelago.”
Anchor points, also known as mooring buoys, are floating devices permanently anchored to the seafloor that allow boats to tie up without dropping an anchor, thereby protecting the seabed. These buoys can be installed in sandy patches away from coral, providing boat access without harming delicate ecosystems. Randy further highlighted the potential economic benefits to the community: “This is an income maker for Bocas as well; hiring locals to build them and charging boats to use them.
Legal Framework
Legally, the situation is mostly clear. Article 15 of Law 304, passed on May 31, 2022, states that “the anchoring of vessels of any draft and size on coral reefs is prohibited.” This article also acknowledges the need for mooring buoys, noting that “when required, the Ministry of Environment, in coordination with the Maritime Authority of Panama, may authorize the placement of buoys for the mooring of vessels carrying out authorized activities.”
Krista Shoe of Mother of Corals brought this law to our attention, acknowledging the challenges to its implementation so far, “Since the changeover in government, there is a committee working to define how to implement the law and handle fines. The law is there, but the consequences are not yet set in stone.” Where Law 304 gets blurry is enforcement. While it explicitly prohibits anchoring on coral reefs, nowhere in the law does it specify the exact penalties for doing so.
Although the enforcement of this law has not yet been fully developed, awareness of the issue is apparent. For instance, footage taken in 2023 by a government employee documented at least six sailboats clearly violating the law, while many more were witnessed.
A Call to Action
After the March 2 incident, in an interview with The Bocas Breeze, Keppel told us that he would like to unite local authorities, dive schools, tour companies, and government agencies in collaboration on a sustainable solution. He proposes surveying safe anchoring areas with sandy bottoms and guiding boats to these locations to prevent further destruction.
“There is a way to anchor without destroying the reef,” he emphasized. “We need to educate sailors and enforce anchoring regulations before more coral is lost.”
He recognizes that installing more buoys for vessels to tie up would be a great solution. However that will take time and investment and the community is in need of a short-term fix, which is where his idea of surveying safe anchoring areas comes in.
Bocas del Toro’s coral reefs are vital to marine biodiversity, local tourism, and the health of the ecosystem. Without swift intervention, these delicate habitats will continue to suffer irreparable damage. The message is clear: awareness and action are necessary to protect the underwater treasures of Bocas del Toro before it’s too late.
Editor’s Note: Reading through Law 304, it states that the ATP (Tourism Authority) will establish a training program for tourism operators, guides, and hotels in marine-coastal areas, with one of the stated goals being to prevent the destruction of coral reef ecosystems. Additionally, it says the ATP will establish an incentive system for operators who adopt stricter environmental standards than required. If that sounds familiar to you, it’s because the Bocas community is already doing something like this. Without waiting for any government programs, the NGO Hope Spot Bocas del Toro has already graduated 70 captains from its Boteros Conscientes course; a free course emphasizing ocean conservation and best practices for sustainable tourism, including never dropping anchor on coral. We encourage our readers to consider first the water taxi and tour services of the Concious Captains from this list! 
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One Response
I retired to Hospital Point in 1991; it was so peaceful then. Reefs at Hospital Point were pristine like a National Geographic cover featuring coral gardens. Then the floodgates began to open in 1995 to 2000. Irresponsible boaters recklessly threw anchors randomly and that was the beginning of the end for reefs at Hospital Point. Coral and bottle collectors ravaged what was left. My admonishments were for nothing. It was disturbing trying to reason with half-drunken boat captains and their passengers. Trash of all kinds was left behind, especially after excessive drinking and noisy music at all hours of the day and night. Broken glass bottles in the water and on the shore is now a major hazard. Fun is based on alcohol consumption, which is not a good environment for families with children.
It has been my pleasure to enjoy diving in places like Palau, Philippines, Bay Islands of Honduras, Florida, US Virgin Islands and other notable places. No one at those pristine places would think of throwing anchors or breaking any established international rules of boating and diving……..except in Bocas del Toro. Buoys for tying boats is the law around the world but too many Bocas del Toro residents, dive operators and tour boats are grossly negligent in replacing stolen or damaged buoys and taking immediate action. The attitude is “not my problem. Let somebody else do it.” Of course, it never gets done and the damage continues. Thanks to a few dedicated activists, there is the constant cry for help and reform. With all the numerous tour and commercial dive boats daily at or near Hospital Point, there is only one buoy and it is seldom used. The other buoy disappeared about ten years ago. If I had to guess, the province needs about three times the present number of buoys at strategic spots so every boat can tie up and stop the desecration. An authoritative patrol would inspire violators to comply and conserve what little is left by simply using a buoy. Some of the damage can be reversed. So spread the word and everybody helping can make a difference.