Cozumel, Q.R. — Overcrowding is being investigated as a possible cause of a boat sinking off the island of Cozumel. On the evening of June 23, a boat carrying 11 sank near Isla de la Pasión. One person died by drowning.
According to reports, there were no lifejackets for the passengers. The tourist vessel was carrying a family from Merida when the boat took on water and sank. A nearby fishing boat, Patitas, helped to pull some of the people from the water.
A Marina Rescue vessel was deployed by the Naval Station for Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance (ENSAR) to transfer the 11 to shore. One passenger, a 45 year old man identified as José “N”, was transferred unconscious and failed to respond to CPR efforts. He was the one reported fatality.
At least three children were on board when the boat went down. After the sinking, the Harbor Master’s Office issued a statement prohibiting children under 10 from boarding tourist boats until further notice.
“Following instructions from the Harbor Master’s Office and due to an incident that occurred June 23 outside our control, it has been determined that passengers under 10 years of age will not be permitted to board until further notice. This measure is preventative and intended to safeguard the safety of all our visitors,” the statement read.
Maritime authorities are investigating possible overcrowding and strong waves as the cause for the June 23 Cozumel boat sinking off the island that left one person dead.
