catamaran boat crash

4 tourists die in Mexico shipwreck between Cancún and Isla Mujeres

Four people have died and over a dozen were rescued in the shipwreck of a small boat carrying tourists between Isla Mujeres and Cancún, two vacation hot spots in Mexico, on Monday night. 

A total of 19 people — 17 tourists from Mexico, the captain, and a helper — were on board the small boat, Raciel López Salazar, the attorney general of Quintana Roo state, told reporters Tuesday. 

The boat, called Diosa del Mar — which translates to “Goddess of the Sea” — was from Puerto Juárez. It “wrecked” in the bay between Isla Mujeres and Cancún, the Isla Mujeres city council said in a news release . Isla Mujeres is about 3.5 miles off Cancún.

The boat was returning to Cancún from Isla Mujeres. It's not clear whether it capsized or sank somehow.

The captain survived and was taken into custody, the city council said. 

Investigators from the state of Quintana Roo are investigating whether the boat had the capacity to hold 19 people and whether `weather played a role in the incident. 

“We are analyzing the climatological conditions, the capacity of the boat and to see if the boat had the capacity to transport 19 people, and the condition of the equipment on the boat. There are people who are responsible for this, we have the captain detained,” Salazar told reporters. 

Asked about the captain, he stressed that the investigation continues but said, “I can tell you that he had some responsibility.” 

Quintana Roo’s state coordination of civil protection department  tweeted Monday evening that a boat search-and-rescue operation was carried out in Isla Mujeres with the help of local agencies and the Mexican navy and that some of the people who were rescued were receiving medical attention. 

H igh waves were reported in the area Monday night, and local media reported that the wake of a larger passing vessel may have played a role. The passage between Isla Mujeres and Cancún is notably busy, full of ferries and pleasure craft, many carrying tourists.

Breaking News Reporter

Nicole Duarte is an assignment editor in NBC News’ Miami bureau.

Four tourists die in Mexico after boat capsizes between Cancun and Isla Mujeres

Most of the passengers had to be rescued from the water by personnel from the mexican navy, local police and civil defense agencies, and some were taken to hospitals, by the associated press • published january 30, 2024 • updated on january 30, 2024 at 4:41 pm.

Four Mexican tourists died after a boat carrying 19 people capsized or swamped between Cancún and Isla Mujeres, authorities said Tuesday.

The boat was carrying 17 passengers and a crew of two when the accident occurred late Monday. The captain of the boat survived and was taken into custody, according to the municipal government of Isla Mujeres.

Most of the passengers had to be rescued from the water by personnel from the Mexican Navy, local police and civil defense agencies, and some were taken to hospitals. All were Mexican citizens.

Investigators in the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo are looking into whether the boat had been overcrowded, or if rough weather had played a role in the accident. It was not clear whether the passengers were wearing life jackets.

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The boat had left Cancún Monday evening to take the tourists to Isla Mujeres, an island 3.5 miles (7 kilometers) offshore from Cancún. The passengers had reportedly gone to a restaurant on the island and were returning to the mainland when the accident occurred.

“We are analyzing the weather conditions and the boat's capacity, whether it had the capacity to carry those 19 people,” said Raciel López, the state attorney general.

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There were reportedly high waves Monday night, and local media reported that the wake of a larger passing vessel may have played a role.

Isla Mujeres authorities identified the boat as the “Diosa del Mar,” but did not specify what type of craft it was or whether it had departed from one of the registered boat terminals. Boats that don't use the terminals are reportedly less closely regulated.

“In accordance with the applicable laws, the captain of the boat Diosa del Mar was immediately turned over to the appropriate authorities to clear up responsibility” for the accident, the Isla Mujeres government said in a statement.

The narrow straight between Isla Mujeres and Cancún is a busy waterway plied by ferries, private pleasure craft and small charter craft. Because the area is so busy and popular among tourists, accidents have occurred in the past there.

On Monday, two men in a kayak were rescued by the crew of the Carnival Jubilee while off the coast of Isla Mujeres. Before being transferred to the custody of the Mexican Navy, the men told their rescuers their boat had sunk.

In 2022, two American divers were killed in the waters off Cancún when a dive boat moved over them, despite flags and buoys warning they were there.

In 2018, a crude bomb exploded aboard a passenger ferry at Playa del Carmen, a resort further south on the coast, slightly injuring two dozen tourists, including foreigners.

In 2000, British singer Kirsty MacColl was killed by a boat propeller while diving at Cozumel, across from Playa del Carmen.

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At least 4 dead after boat carrying tourists sinks near Cancun

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Cancun tourist accident leaves 4 dead after boat carrying 19 wrecks in waters: Officials

Four people died after a boat carrying 19 people sunk between Cancún and Isla Mujeres on Monday, officials said.

The boat, called Diosa del Mar — which translates to “Goddess of the Sea” — was carrying 17 Mexican tourists, the captain, and a helper, Raciel López Salazar, the attorney general of Quintana Roo state, said during a press conference.

In a news release , the Isla Mujeres city council said the boat was from Puerto Juárez. The wreck happened in the bay between Cancún and Isla Mujeres, two popular vacation destinations.

The boat left Cancún on Monday night to take tourists to Isla Mujeres, an island about 3.5 miles offshore from Cancún.

The tourists went to a restaurant on the island and were returning to Cancún when it wrecked. Most of the passengers had to be rescued and several were taken to the hospital, authorities said in a Facebook post .

Quintana Roo’s state coordination of the civil protection department said a boat search-and-rescue operation was carried out to rescue passengers with the help of local agencies and the Mexican navy Some of those rescued had to receive medical attention.

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Officials investigating cause of Cancun tourist boat accident

“We are analyzing the weather conditions and the boat's capacity, whether it had the capacity to carry those 19 people,” Salazar said.

Local paper, El Universal, reported that officials said the 26-foot boat had 16-person capacity but was carrying 19 people. Passengers included 14 adult tourists, one baby, two minors, the captain, and a crew member.

Riviera Maya News reported that those who died included one woman, two men, and a 10-year-old boy.

According to Mexico News Daily , some of the surviving passengers suffered serious injuries and were transferred to the hospital. At least one person is now on life support, and others are suffering from nervous breakdowns.

There were reportedly high waves Monday night, and local media reported that the wake of a larger passing vessel may have played a role.

“In accordance with the applicable laws, the captain of the boat Diosa del Mar was immediately turned over to the appropriate authorities to clear up responsibility” for the accident, the Isla Mujeres government said in a statement.

Salazar told reporters the captain "had some responsibility," NBC News reported.

Mexico catamaran horror as four tourists including boy, 10, killed when boat capsizes

The 'Goddess of the Sea' catamaran set off from Cancun in Mexico to travel to the nearby Isla Mujeres, with around 16 people onboard. The captain has been arrested while investigations are carried out

• 12:36, 30 Jan 2024

A tourist boat has capsized off the coast of holiday hotspot Cancun in Mexico leaving at least four dead including a 10-year-old boy.

The 'Goddess of the Sea' catamaran set off from Cancun to travel to the nearby Isla Mujeres, with around 16 people onboard, reports have said. The vessel was believed to have been hired by the group of tourists to visit the small island and left shore at around 7pm last night.

Reports say the vessel likely encountered a technical problem or was overturned by a freak wave. Meteorologists said a cold front had caused strong winds and choppy conditions at sea, with waves estimated to be around 10 feet high.

A distress call was sent out and local boats were mobilised to help the victims in the water but authorities are still trying to find at least five people who were on board at the time of the accident, but currently remain missing. Several injured passengers were transported to a health centre on Isla Mujeres.

One woman is said to be in a serious condition. The captain of the vessel has been placed under arrest as the authorities carry out an investigation and determine if human error was at play.

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At Least 4 Dead After Tourist Boat Carrying 19 People Sinks Near Cancun, Captain Detained

The boat had been traveling to Puerto Juárez from Isla Mujeres when it caught a sea swell causing water to enter the boat

Getty Images

At least four people are dead after a tourist boat that was carrying 19 people sank near Cancun, according to the Associated Press .

The captain of the “Diosa del Mar” was detained, per the outlet.

The boat was traveling to Cancún from Isla Mujeres when it "wrecked in the bay between Isla Mujeres and Cancún, when returning to its place of origin," the Isla Mujeres City Council said in a press release. "We express our solidarity with the families of the victims and with the people who were rescued."

Isla Mujeres is a popular tourist island 3.5 miles from Cancún.

Raciel Lopez Salazar, the Attorney General of Quintana Roo, told reporters Tuesday that there were 17 Mexican tourists and two crew members aboard the vessel, per NBC News . 

Authorities are trying to determine whether the boat was overcrowded and if rough weather conditions played a role in the tragedy.

“We are analyzing the climatological conditions, the capacity of the boat and to see if the boat had the capacity to transport 19 people, and the condition of the equipment on the boat. There are people who are responsible for this, we have the captain detained,” Salazar said, per NBC News .

Salazar added that the captain, who has not been identified, "had some responsibility" in the deadly incident.

According to AP, many of the passengers were pulled out of the sea by the Mexican Navy and other agencies.

The rescue operation is still underway, therefore, identities have not been revealed nor have the conditions of those rescued.

PEOPLE has contacted the Mexican Navy for comment.

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Fatal America's Cup Crash 'Was Not On The Radar For Any of Us'; Could Change Race

May 10, 2013 / 11:43 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS/KPIX 5)— America's Cup officials expressed sadness Friday and seemed to have few answers one day after a deadly boating accident claimed the life of 36-year-old Olympic sailor Andrew "Bart" Simpson when his catamaran nosedived during a difficult maneuver and broke into many pieces.

"What happened yesterday was not on the radar for any of us," said America's Cup Regatta Director Iain Murray of Thursday's fatal wreck of the Artemis AC-72 during practice runs in the San Francisco Bay. "Artemis and Oracle were out there training in what they had been doing for months. And looking frankly quite good."

Catamaran Noisedived, Broke Into Pieces During Deadly SF Bay Wreck

Officials have not ruled out cancelling the America's Cup Race scheduled for this summer based on the outcome of multi-agency investigations currently underway into the cause of the tragedy.

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"Nothing is off the table," said Stephen Barclay, chief executive of the America's Cup Event Authority at a news conference. "We need to know what happened."

Murray said practice runs were suspended for the next several days and Artemis Racing officials had not indicated whether they still planned to continue in the event - if held.

Murray said Artemis, with Simpson and his 11-man crew onboard - each with oxygen bottles on their person, was bearing away from a marker on Treasure Island in swift winds when it nose dived Thursday afternoon.

"All that we know is the boat ended up capsized with the hulls upside down, broken in half," Murray said of the outcome of the difficult, but normal, sailing move.

It took 10 minutes to locate Simpson, who was trapped under some solid sections of the yacht and out of sight to those who were looking for him. By the time he was found and pulled ashore, it was too late to save the British Olympian.

The area of the capsizing - a "triangle" between Treasure Island, Angel Island and Alcatraz Island that is not part of the planned race course - was "a windier spot on the Bay." But even with winds of 15-20 knots with occasionally higher gusts, it was not considered to be "extreme conditions," Murray noted.

Barclay said there could be changes made with the designs of the 72-foot high-tech sailboats once the results of safety probes by the San Francisco Police Dept., U.S. Coast Guard and the America's Cup organization are concluded.

"Obviously a catamaran is more prone to capsizing than a mono-hull," he said. "Whether boats are safe or unsafe, we're not going to speculate on those things."

"We take the safety of our sport very seriously and respect the ocean at all times," added Murray. "We are constantly trying to improve the way we manage these boats."

In addition to sailors wearing crash helmets and life vests, chase boats carry doctors and divers, Barclay said.

"There are lots of precautions that are taken, and some of those are as a result of Oracle's mishap last year," he said.

Oracle's $10 million boat capsized in 25-knot winds last October , and strong tides swept it four miles past the Golden Gate Bridge.

No one was injured, but the rough waters destroyed the 131-foot wing sail.

Artemis Racing officials didn't attend the Friday news conference, but chairman Torbjorn Tornqvist issued a statement about the death of Simpson, strategist for the team that represents a Swedish yacht club.

Tornqvist said Simpson "was central to Artemis Racing, both in the course of racing and our lives. His presence and personality was a binding force and he will be missed."

"Right now, the primary focus of Artemis Racing is on the well-being of our team members and their families, and the America's Cup competition will remain second to that," he said, adding that the team "will conduct a thorough analysis and review of this accident and will be looking at how the risks inherent to such competitive sailing can be limited in the future for the safety of the team and all competitors in the sailing community."

Simpson won two Olympic medals in sailing, a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Games and a silver medal in the 2012 Games in London, according to team officials.

"Andrew Simpson was a hugely accomplished sailor and Olympian," International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, a former Olympic sailor from Belgium, said in a statement. "He died pursuing his sporting passion."

It was the second time a sailor has died during training for the America's Cup, according to race officials. In 1999, Martin Wizner of the Spanish Challenge died almost instantly when he was hit in the head by a broken piece of equipment.

No deaths have been recorded during the actual racing since its inception in 1851.

"Passing away in any sport is tragic and the emotions and the feelings of everyone are very raw. I can't imagine, actually, what the family must be feeling at this time," Barclay said.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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‘Insane’: 6 injured after large waves batter catamaran in waters off Waikiki

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Six people were injured, including one seriously, when huge waves battered a catamaran carrying 30 people off Waikiki Beach, officials said on Saturday.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to the incident around 12:15 p.m. when the boat docked near Kewalo Harbor.

According to EMS, paramedics treated four patients on the scene for multiple injuries after four large waves hit the catamaran.

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At least 2 hurt after racing boat crashes, partially sinks in biscayne bay.

Roy Ramos , Reporter

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – First responders took at least two men to a local hospital following a boat crash in Biscayne Bay Friday morning, according to Coral Gables police.

The crash happened sometime before 10:30 a.m., according to fire dispatch records.

Images from Sky 10 showed the catamaran racing boat sinking about a mile east of Matheson Hammock Park.

Medics took the victims to Jackson Memorial Hospital, police said. One of the victims had severe injuries and was taken to JMH as a trauma alert patient.

Josue Rodriguez, a friend of the victims, said he was in the process of taking his boat out to meet them when the crash happened. He said the two are experienced with speedboats.

“He knew what he was doing and the day was calm and something must have gone wrong,” Rodriguez told Local 10 News in Spanish, saying he didn’t know what led up to the crash.

Amid calm waters, Rodriguez said something must have malfunctioned with the boat.

A fisherman told Local 10 News that the water in the area is only about 11 feet deep.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is now investigating and has not released any information about a suspected cause.

Approximate location:

Copyright 2023 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.

Local 10 News @ 4:30AM : Apr 03, 2024

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Video, Photos Show Million-Dollar Boat Crashed on Tickfaw River in Southeastern Louisiana

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Two people were injured in a horrible boat crash along the Tickfaw River this past weekend.

As temperatures begin to heat up, so does activity on the waters of south Louisiana. According to reports on social media that were confirmed by WBRZ, a catamaran valued at approximately $1 million dollars was "launched into a tree line" along the Tickfaw River, causing severe injuries to two of the passengers on board.

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries say that a total of five passengers were occupying the boat at the time of the crash and luckily, none of them were ejected. A passerby was able to load all five people into his boat and bring them to shore where LDWF was waiting along with ambulances.

The two people who were badly hurt are expected to be OK.

Video from TikTok user @SwampStixxCustomRods shows the boat in the trees as a shocked reaction from the person recording the video could be heard as they approached the crash site.

Photos of the boat also surfaced on social media showing damage due to the crash.

The Tickfaw River is a river in southeastern Louisiana, United States. It flows approximately 85 miles (137 km) from its headwaters in Mississippi, through the swamps of the North Shore region, before emptying into Lake Maurepas.

The river is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities and this crash is a reminder to always wear your lanyard and use all proper safety precautions while operating on the water.

See the full story and news report here via WBRZ.

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Three Dead After Tourist Boat Sinks off Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

Half of travelers in the world do not need a visa. How does Central America compare?

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02 April 2024 - At The Banks - Source: BCCR

The sinking of the catamaran tour boat this morning in Costa Rica’s Pacific waters near Jacó claimed the lives of three people. The other 106 passengers and crew survived thanks to the rescue efforts by local boats near the shipwreck and relief agencies.

The accident occurred shortly before 10:00am, near Punta Leona beach, north of Herradura. The tour boat had left Herradura around 8:00am.

According to the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), the three deceased were identified as Sharon Johsnton (70 years) from Canada, Edna Oliver (68 years) from the United States and 80 year old Ivor Stanley Hopkins, from England.

Originally four people were reported having died. In Jacó, rumours spread that a fifth had perished on the way to hospital. However, by late in the afternoon, at a press a 4:00pm press conference by Vice-President, Ana Elena Chacón, confirmed that three people had deceased and 106 had been rescued.

“It’s a sad day for our country, that receives so many tourists,” said Chacón.

President Luis Guillermo Solís, from China (who is on an official tour of the Asian country until Friday) sent a message from his Twitter account.

Only 11 of the 109 people aboard (99 tourists and 10 crew) were Costa Ricans.

One of the first survivors, Arcelio Garcia, said the catamaran rolled over very quickly. “It was horrible. When I sa the caption come out and the choppy sea I said, something is happening.”

Stella Hopkins, an Argentine and the wife of the British victim, said she had thought that the boat would turn around because the sea was choppy, but the crew decided to continue the cruise.

Speculation is the strong winds and prevailing waves could have been the cause of the accident. Hector Chaves, head of the Bomberos said they ruled out a possible fire on board.

Costa Rica has been experiencing exceptionally strong winds this week. On the Caribbean coast, waves up to almost 5 metres (15 feet) have been battering the port city of Limón. In the Central Valley (San José), winds have uprooted trees and downed power lines in many communities.

The rescue efforts were coordinated by the Cruz Roja (Red Cross), the Guardacostas (Coast Guard) and Bomobers (Fire Department) that gathered their efforts at the Herradura (Los Sueños) marina.

A catamaran is a twin hulled design normally thought to be more stable in rough seas. The ocean generated a heavy chop due to high winds that have assaulted the country this week. The vessel carried life preservers for 174, reported La Nacion.

Chaves said  the catamaran sank quickly, within minutes in the 170 metres (550 feet) deep waters, and required the help of divers.

The capsized boat is owned by the company Pura Vida Princess, that provides tours to Tortuga Island.

The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) – Ministry of Public Works and Transportation – was quick to confirm that the boat, a 2007 Ecoquest with the identification P11400 had its certificate of seaworthiness, meaning it had met all the safety requirements to operate.

The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) – state insurer – confirmed that company has injury and death insurance coverage.

At the ready was the nearest hospital in Puntarenas after the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) declared a red alert for all medical facilities in the area of the accident, to accept possible patients.

In the end, all the passengers were rescued, only two required medical attention at the Puntarenas hospital.

This is not the first accident at sea. Since 1997 at least six shipwrecks have been reported on Costa Rica’s coasts.

The accident is sure to have a repercussion on the country’s tourist image internationally.

Canal 9 news reported that the company, located in Jaco, closed its doors today and cancelled all bookings, leaving employees uncertain if they have a job tomorrow.

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7 rescued after catamaran capsizes during Sarasota boat races, Coast Guard says

Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard 

SARASOTA, Fla. - Seven people were rescued from a capsized catamaran during the Sarasota boat races taking place Saturday, according to officials with the U.S. Coast Guard. 

They said a good Samaritan rescued the seven who were onboard the catamaran when it capsized. 

Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard

A fire marine unit with the Town of Longboat Key did report that one person was injured, but their condition has not been released, according to the Coast Guard. 

The 39th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix did start Saturday along Lido Beach. 

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Two people hurt in wild boat crash on tickfaw river, related story.

LIVINGSTON PARISH - Two people were badly hurt after a catamaran was launched into the tree line along the Tickfaw River over the weekend.

The wreck happened around 5:30 p.m. Sunday. According to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, five people were on board the luxury boat when it took a sudden turn and crashed through several trees.

A passerby loaded the five occupants into his boat and brought them to a river landing in Livingston Parish where LDWF agents and an ambulance were waiting.

No one was ejected from the boat during the crash, but two people were taken to a hospital in Hammond with "severe" injuries. Both are expected to be OK. 

Photos and video posted on social media show the boat, reported to be a 48-foot MTI catamaran, propped up on its side in the foliage. Similar catamarans typically sell for anywhere between $800,000 and $1.4 million, according to the manufacturer.

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The Latest | Ship was undergoing engine maintenance before it crashed into bridge, Coast Guard says

The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge is diverting driving and shipping around one of the busiest ports on America’s East Coast. Baltimore Harbor Tunnel expected to absorb traffic.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is highlighting the importance of the collapsed of the Francis Scott Key Bridge to the U.S. economy and says it is “imperative” to get the port of Baltimore up and running as quickly as possible

A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

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President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. Recovery efforts resumed Wednesday for the construction workers who are presumed dead after the cargo ship hit a pillar of the bridge, causing the structure to collapse. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

An American flag flies on a moored boat as the container ship Dali rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

A plane gains altitude as a container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge as night falls on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Sparrows Point, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

People gather for a vigil near the scene where a container ship collided with a support on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Dundalk, Md., Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge as night falls on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Sparrows Point, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg embrace after a news conference near the scene where a container ship collided with a support on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, in Dundalk, Md., Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A Coast Gaurd cutter patrols in front of a cargo ship that is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Wednesday March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

The Latest on the ship crash that collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore (all times local):

The ship that crashed into a bridge in Baltimore was undergoing “routine engine maintenance” in the port beforehand, the Coast Guard said.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said at a news conference on Wednesday that authorities had been informed that the ship was going to undergo routine engine maintenance before it lost power. But he said authorities were not informed of any problems.

— Investigation into Baltimore bridge collapse picks up speed as divers search for missing

— Central American and Mexican families mourn the missing

— What’s it like to survive a bridge collapse? Past survivors tell

— Baltimore bridge collapse and port closure send companies scrambling to reroute cargo

— A list of major US bridge collapses caused by ships and barges

— Live Updates at APNews.com

— Find more of AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com

More of the latest:

TWO BODIES HAVE BEEN RECOVERED AT SITE OF BRIDGE COLLAPSE, AUTHORITES SAY

The bodies of two people have been recovered from the site of the Baltimore bridge that collapsed into a river early Tuesday when a ship crashed into it, said Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., superintendent for Maryland State Police.

Butler said Wednesday that a 35-year-old and a 26-year-old were recovered from a red pickup truck in the Patapsco River near the mid-span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The six construction workers who were missing and presumed dead were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, Butler said.

Gov. Wes Moore told the families of the victims in Spanish, “Estamos contigo, ahora y siempre” which means, “We are with you, now and always.”

MARYLAND GOVERNOR TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT DAMAGE IN BALTIMORE

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is taking a closer look at the aftermath of the bridge collapse in Baltimore.

Moore boarded a Coast Guard ship with federal and local officials Wednesday to better understand the path the ship that caused the collapse took and how the crash happened, the governor’s office said. His office said his goal was to support the Coast Guard and other federal partners, thank first responders, and learn more about what happened.

BROTHER DESCRIBES MISSING CONSTRUCTION WORKER AS ‘ALWAYS HAPPY’

One of the construction workers presumed dead in Baltimore was a 38-year-old father of two who dreamed of someday returning to his native Honduras, his brother says.

Carlos Suazo says his brother, Maynor Suazo, had been in the United States for 18 years but “always dreamed of, in his old age, retiring peacefully in Honduras.” He describes him as the beloved youngest sibling among four girls and four boys.

“He was someone who was always happy, was always thinking about the future. He was a visionary,” Carlos Suazo says.

He last spoke to his brother Sunday, when they had lunch to discuss planning for a family birthday party.

He says the family hasn’t lost hope his brother will be found alive.

BUTTIGIEG URGES BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR BALTIMORE FUNDING

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Wednesday at a White House news briefing that it’s too soon to say if regulations would be waived to rebuild the bridge and reopen the port.

But he said President Joe Biden has said the federal government should “tear down any barriers, bureaucratic as well as financial” that could affect the timeline of any rebuild.

Buttigieg also had a message for Republicans in Congress who might oppose having the federal government pay for the effort. Infrastructure should be a bipartisan issue, he said.

“Today this is happening in Baltimore, tomorrow it could be their districts,” he said. “We really need to stand together, red blue and purple, to get these things done.”

BUTTIGIEG OFFERS NO TIMELINE FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT, PORT REOPENING

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says it’s too soon to say how long it will take to reopen the Port of Baltimore or replace the destroyed bridge.

Buttigieg noted at a White House news briefing Wednesday that the bridge took five years to construct.

“That does not necessarily mean it will take five years to replace,” he said.

Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Gautier says hazardous materials aboard the damaged ship pose no threat to public safety.

Gautier said at the briefing that the ship is holding over 1.5 million gallons of fuel, and that more than 50 of the cargo containers on board contain hazardous material. But he says that the ship is stable and that authorities have determined there is no safety risk.

“There is no threat to the public,” he says.

BUTTIGIEG CITES 4 TRANSPORTATION FOCUSES

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says the Biden administration is focused on four areas related to transportation as the investigation continues in Baltimore.

Speaking at a White House news briefing Wednesday, Buttigieg said officials are focused on reopening the port, dealing with supply chain issues, rebuilding the bridge and addressing surface transportation.

Buttigieg said he will meet with shipping and supply chain officials Thursday.

“We are going to help to get it open as soon as possible,” he said.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says President Joe Biden has instructed his team “to move heaven and earth” to aid in recovery and rebuilding.

SINGAPORE PLANS ITS OWN INVESTIGATION

Officials in Singapore say they will conduct their own investigation into the bridge collapse, in addition to supporting U.S. authorities.

The ship that struck the bridge, the Dali, was traveling under a Singaporean flag. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said Wednesday it was working with the ship’s management company, Synergy Marine Group, to get information to the U.S. Coast Guard for its investigation.

The agency also said Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau will independently investigate, not to determine liability, but to identify lessons for the future.

SHIP’S FUEL HEATER PRESSURE GAUGES HAD PROBLEM IN 2023

A 2023 inspection of the ship in a Chilean port turned up a problem with the fuel heater’s pressure gauges, but it was corrected before the ship left the port, the Maritime Authority of the Chilean Navy says.

Previous reports had indicated the June inspection of the Dali in Chile identified a problem with the ship’s “propulsion and auxiliary machinery,” according to the shipping information website Equasis, but the records didn’t elaborate.

The Chilean Navy said in a statement Wednesday that the ship had been inspected in the port of San Antonio on June 27, 2023, and that the pressure gauges of the fuel heaters “were detected to be illegible.”

The problem was corrected the same day, and the ship was able to depart, the Chilean Navy says.

The Dali was most recently inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard in New York in September 2023, and no deficiencies were detected, according to Equasis.

MEXICAN PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTS CONTRIBUTIONS OF MIGRANT WORKERS

The president of Mexico says three Mexicans were among the workers on the bridge when it collapsed.

Two of the Mexican workers are missing. The third was injured and rescued.

“He is safe now,” President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Wednesday.

López Obrador also highlighted the contributions migrant workers make to the U.S. economy.

“This demonstrates that migrants go out and do risky jobs at midnight, and for this reason they do not deserve to be treated as they are by certain insensitive, irresponsible politicians in the United States,” he said.

FEDERAL MEMO SAYS TRUCK RECOVERED FROM WATER

One truck has been recovered from the water, but at least one vehicle remains hanging from the metal, according to a Homeland Security memo that was described to The Associated Press by a law enforcement official.

The official was not authorized to discuss details of the document or the investigation and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.

Gov. Wes Moore on Wednesday praised divers who have spent hours in frigid water.

“They are down there in darkness where they can literally see about a foot in front of them,” he said. “They are trying to navigate mangled metal and they’re also in a place it is now presumed that people have lost their lives, so the work of these first responders, the work of these divers, I cannot stress enough how remarkable these individuals are.”

— Colleen Long and Brian Witte

22 Indian crew members stranded on the ship that crashed into Baltimore bridge could be on board for weeks, report says

• 22 crew are trapped aboard the Dali, the ship that crashed into a Baltimore bridge.
• The Indian nationals have food, water, and fuel supplies on board, per The New York Times.
• The crew is unharmed but remains stranded, awaiting debris to be cleared.

The crew of the container ship that crashed into the Baltimore bridge five days ago are still trapped on board the stricken vessel, a report says.

The Dali crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of Tuesday, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River. Six construction workers who were working on the bridge were killed.

All of the ship's 22 crew members were reported to be unharmed after the collision but have been unable to leave the vessel, according to The New York Times.

They must wait until enough debris is cleared to free the vessel and could remain on board for weeks, the paper reported.

The ship's crew has been praised for swiftly alerting authorities on Tuesday that the vessel had lost power, leading to cars being redirected away from the bridge and likely preventing more fatalities.

The crew, all Indian nationals, are likely continuing to work to maintain the ship as they remain stranded, the Times said.

Officials said on Saturday that salvage crews worked to lift the first piece of the collapsed bridge from the water using cranes.

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said workers were cutting a portion of the collapsed bridge into smaller sections to make it easier to remove, eventually allowing other vessels to access the site.

Chris James, who works for a consulting firm assisting the ship's management company, Synergy Marine, said that the crew has sufficient supplies of food, water, and fuel to keep the ship's generators going, per The Times.

James said that once the National Transportation Safety Board and the Coast Guard finish their investigations, "we'll look at potentially swapping the crew out and getting them home."

Those onshore have devised inventive ways to contact the crew members who do not have consistent internet access on board.

Joshua Messick, the executive director of religious nonprofit the Baltimore International Seafarers' Center, told The Times that he had sent the crew two WiFi hot spots and had written a letter to the captain that was delivered by another ship.

The crew members seem to be faring well, given the circumstances.

Andrew Middleton, who runs Apostleship of the Sea, a program that ministers to sailors coming through the port, told The Times that he had been in regular contact with two crew members on board.

"When I've asked how they're doing, their answers range from 'good' to 'great,'" he said. "So, by their own accounts, they're OK."

The Dali is owned by Grace Ocean, a Singapore-based firm, and had been chartered by the Danish shipping company Maersk .

According to Grace Ocean, the vessel, which was carrying 4,700 shipping containers, was bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka when the crash took place.

Watch: The container ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge has crashed before

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