Keith Woolford Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 (edited) At least eighteen people have been reported missing after two launches were swamped and adrift yesterday between Cayo Zapatilla and Isla Colon in Bocas del Toro. It's believed that many of the tourists aboard were Costa Ricans. SINAPROC, SENAN, Policia Nacional, and private parties are continuing the search this morning for the passengers and two launches named "Lady" and "Lined 19". We can only hope they'll all be found safe on some little cay out there. *** ....about an hour later The boats have now been sighted from the air and coordinates given to forces on the water. Edited January 1, 2018 by Keith Woolford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 (edited) All eighteen missing persons have now been rescued. Edited January 1, 2018 by Keith Woolford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted January 2, 2018 Moderators Share Posted January 2, 2018 Quote Water taxi tourists had to swim for 30 minutes Posted on January 1, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 489 Over 20 tourists who set out from Isla Colón in Bocas del Toro on Sunday morning, Dec. 31 and were the subject of a night long search by the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), had to swim for their lives to Cayo Agua after their boats were overturned by strong waves. The boats were spotted by the crew of a Senan plane on the morning of January 1. Originally it was reported that the missing tourists traveling in water taxis were Costa Rican but after the rescue, it was discovered that there were Argentinian, Spanish, Guatemalan, Costa Rican and Panamanian citizens among the passengers. For Matías Cardillo, an Argentinian citizen living in Panama it was a traumatic experience, reports La Prensa, and he denounced the irresponsibility of the captains of boats and those who offer tours despite the bad weather. He said that the tourists several times asked if they would leave for the Zapatilla and Coral keys.in the bad weather. According to the tourist, the captains responded that weather was always like that early in the day and changed after 10:00 a.m., which never happened. He called on the authorities to initiate a thorough investigation and sanction those responsible. Cardillo also requested that the vessels be provided with the minimum security equipment, like radio communication, cell phone, flares and good lifeguards. Leoncio Guerra the regional director of the Panama Maritime Authority, , said that an investigation will begin. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/water-taxi-tourists-swim-30-minutes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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