Cozumel, Q.R. — A tourist dive guide remains in critical condition after being hit by a boat’s propeller. The accident happened Friday morning when his group were diving off the Yucab Reef.
A second vessel that entered the area at the southern end of Cozumel is said responsible for hitting dive guide Manuel “C”. The boat’s propeller made contact with several parts of his lower body. The diver was rushed to Cozumel hospital in critical condition.
Preliminary reports say a boat named Maranatha entered the reef area where the tourists were diving. The vessel alleged responsible is owned by Fernán “S”.
According to Alfredo Arellano, the Director of Protección Civil Cozumel, the accident was not immediately reported to authorities. There are allegations that one of the vessels involved was in the reef area illegally without the necessary National Commission of Natural Protected Areas permits.
There are also allegations made by witnesses that the captain of Maranatha approached the area at excessive speed and ignored warnings that there were people in the water.
