A holiday excursion turned into a scene of alarm on Saturday when a catamaran carrying dozens of cruise ship passengers sank in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
The Sinking of the Boca de Yuma I
Approximately 55 holidaymakers found themselves in a perilous situation after the 40-foot catamaran they were sailing on, named the Boca de Yuma I, began taking on water. The vessel was participating in a shore excursion from the German TUI cruise ship Mein Schiff 1 when it developed a leak in the bay of Samana.
According to reports, the catamaran quickly began to sink, forcing all on board to abandon ship. Images from the scene captured the dramatic moments as dozens of tourists, all wearing lifejackets, were seen floating in the open waters awaiting rescue.
A Swift and Successful Rescue Mission
Authorities immediately launched a large-scale rescue operation. The Navy, civil defence units, and other first responders coordinated efforts to reach the 55 passengers stranded in the sea.
In a fortunate turn of events, rescue workers successfully managed to pull every single holidaymaker from the water. Officials confirmed that all individuals were safe and sound, with no physical injuries reported from the frightening ordeal.
Investigation and Aftermath
The cause of the sinking is currently under investigation. The provincial director of civil protection stated that while the exact reason remains unknown, preliminary findings point to a potential technical defect in the catamaran's hull.
Sabine Lüke, a spokesperson for TUI Cruises, addressed the incident, confirming that the excursion catamaran was operated by an external provider. She emphasized, 'The safety and well-being of our guests is our top priority.'
All rescued passengers have since been safely returned to the Mein Schiff 1 cruise ship. TUI Cruises has stated it is in close contact with the tour operator and relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted into the ship accident.
