Eighteen people were rescued from the Pacific Ocean after their catamaran took on water and sank between the islands of Taboga and Taboguilla on Monday night.
The group consisted of 16 tourists and two Panamanian crew members. They were travelling from Contadora Island toward Panama City when the vessel reported a major influx of water through the National Aeronaval Service’s 108 emergency line.
Panama’s National Aeronaval Service, known as SENAN, activated its search-and-rescue protocols and dispatched several patrol boats to the area.
By the time rescuers reached the reported location, the catamaran had sunk completely. The passengers and crew were found together in the water wearing life jackets, which authorities said was instrumental in allowing them to be located and rescued safely.
All 18 people were taken aboard the rescue vessels and transported to Pier 3 at the Captain Noel Antonio Rodríguez Justavino Naval Base.
Paramedics from SENAN, Panama’s emergency medical service SUME 911 and the Ministry of Health examined the survivors after their arrival. Authorities reported that everyone was in stable condition and out of danger.
No fatalities or serious injuries were reported.
The cause of the sinking has not been established. Authorities are investigating whether mechanical, structural or weather-related factors contributed to the incident. Panama experienced periods of heavy rain, thunderstorms and difficult maritime conditions around the time of the emergency, but officials have not confirmed that weather caused the vessel to sink.
Taboga lies approximately 20 kilometers south of Panama City and is a popular destination for day trips and recreational boating. Contadora is part of the Pearl Islands archipelago, farther into the Gulf of Panama.
Sources: SENAN, Telemetro
