Cozumel, Q.R. — Authorities have not commented on the sinking of a boat carrying tourists off the island of Cozumel Monday. The sinking was recorded Monday afternoon around 1:00 p.m. during a trip to El Cielo.
At least three other boats came to the rescue of those thrown into the sea when their vessel overturned off the island.
According to initial reports, vessel Tea sank while navigating off the coast with more than a dozen people on board.
Following the sinking, one of the affected families issued a public complaint alleging irregularities regarding the tour’s sale, passenger overcrowding, and a lack of support from those in charge.
According to their account, the boat had a capacity for 10 to 12 but departed with 19 people on board, a situation that they claim, caused the vessel to sink.
The sinking was captured on video by the crew of a nearby catamaran who was one of the boats that came to their rescue.
The footage shows the boat completely listing and half-submerged in the sea while the tourists, several of them wearing life jackets, cling to the floating hull.
Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of passengers and crew members on the boat at the time of the incident. There has not been any public comment made by Cozumel Civil Protection or the island’s mayor, José Luis Chacón.
The last time a tour boat sank off the island of Cozumel was in February of this year when, according to witnesses, the boat sank when its crew forced a sudden quick maneuver while trying to change direction. There were six people on board at the time of that incident.
