Cruise passengers went overboard and were left struggling to swim in the sea after their catamaran sank in the Caribbean.
Dozens of passengers, aboard the “Mein Schiff 1” cruise ship, were left in the sea before being rescued in a major operation on Sunday after heading out on a day trip on a catamaran off the coast of the Dominican Republic. Video has revealed around 55 people floating the water as the Dominican Navy skirts round try to rescue them one by one. Seamen toss life rings to the passengers and then haul them to safety.
The 40ft catamaran named Boca de Yuma was taking the group on a sightseeing day trip after setting off from the port in Embat, but it soon began taking on water before sinking, according to local media reports.
The port authority of Samaná said: “The Dominican Republic Navy is working closely with local authorities to identify those responsible and take measures to prevent such an incident from happening again.”
The main cruise ship, Mein Schiff 1, is on a route across the Atlantic. It reportedly set sail from New York on October 23, heading for Montego Bay, Jamaica.
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