The Belize Port Authority (BPA) extends congratulations to our officers, Mr. Keeron Young and Ms. Allison Mendez, on successfully completing the AtoN Manager Level 1 training in Suriname. They embarked on this intensive two week program on March 17, 2025, where they received both theoretical and practical instruction on key aspects of Aids to Navigation (AtoN) management.
IALA, established in 1957, operates under the guiding principle “Successful voyage, sustainable planet” and plays a crucial role in standardizing the marking of channels and hazards at sea through the use of buoys, lights, and other navigational aids.
The training, facilitated by IALA, covered critical topics, including international maritime laws set by IALA and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), risk management, and navigational safety. A significant focus was placed on environmental sustainability, emphasizing the use of energy efficient lighting and the protection of marine habitats near AtoN structures.
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Ms. Allison Mendez began her career at the Belize Port Authority in May 2015 as a Marine Enforcement Officer. She was later promoted to the National Maritime Communication Center as a Vessel Traffic Officer before assuming the role of Safety Vessel Inspector in 2022. With the successful completion of this specialized training, Ms. Mendez has made history as Belize’s first female AtoN Manager. She now joins an elite team of five other AtoN Managers at the Belize Port Authority, all of whom are responsible for ensuring compliance with international standards of maritime safety and risk management.
She hopes that her achievement will inspire more women to pursue leadership roles in the maritime sector and other traditionally male-dominated fields. She extends heartfelt gratitude to her family for their unwavering support, her BPA colleagues for their warm birthday wishes on March 20th.