According to a report from local authorities, over 50 individuals were successfully rescued without injuries after a catamaran sank while carrying guests from the German cruise liner Mein Schiff 1 in Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic, on November 9.
The Dominican Navy confirmed that the vessel, known as Boca de Yuma (or Boca de Yuma 1), encountered internal hull damage that led to it taking on water. The approximately 40-foot-long catamaran had just set off from Embat Pier for a day trip when disaster struck.
Officials indicated that the boat hit an underwater object, which resulted in one of its hulls flooding. The two crew members onboard acted swiftly; upon realizing the severity of the situation, they notified authorities immediately.
The Navy provided essential communication and logistical support during the rescue operation. As water levels rose between 3 PM and 3:30 PM local time, passengers were instructed to don life jackets and enter the water safely as their vessel gradually sank.
Rescue teams from various agencies-including the Navy and Civil Defence-arrived promptly to assist those stranded at sea. All passengers were retrieved and brought back to shore without any reported injuries.
Ramón Liriano, director of Civil Defence for the province, assured local media that safety protocols were adhered to throughout this incident. Investigations are currently underway to determine what caused the hull damage.
TUI Cruises has confirmed that all rescued guests were returned safely to their cruise ship following this harrowing experience. The company is actively collaborating with both law enforcement and excursion providers to uncover more details about what transpired during this excursion.
A passenger interviewed by RTL described moments of panic during evacuation but noted some concerns regarding response times post-rescue. Meanwhile, officials at Samaná’s Port Captaincy have initiated an inquiry into this incident with aims of identifying accountability measures moving forward. The Dominican Navy is also working closely with local entities to enhance safety protocols for future excursions.
