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Dive master propelled fight for his life
#Cozumel . - Dive Master Manuel Acuña Zepeda, with more than 30 years of diving experience, was seriously injured after being propelled by the Maranatha 4 boat while performing water activities with a group of tourists in the Yucab reefs.
According to witnesses, the Dive Master's buoy and fin got entangled in the vessel's propeller.
The injuries are serious, according to testimonies from nautical service providers present at the scene, who also participated in the rescue.
Crane was transferred in Code Red to Cozumel International Hospital around 12 o'clock? day.
The accident occurred due to a risky design feature, the Maranatha 4 has the control console in the rear, which prevents the captain from having frontal visibility when sailing as the bow rises as it advances.
Witnesses noted that the boat approached speeding over the Yucab Reef, ignoring the screams and warning signs from those in the water. The boat passed over the Dive Master, causing severe injuries to a leg, knee, both ankles and back.
AN ACT OF COURAGE
In a heroic act to safeguard the life of a tourist, Manuel Acuña jumped on him and managed to push him out of the boat's course, leaving him exposed and lying in the water. That's when the boat slammed him full-on, causing serious injuries to his spine, knee, ankles and a leg. Even after the impact, the boat continued its course. Only when they heard the screams of the present, they returned, and when maneuver again, they almost ran over another tourist.
The captain, visibly upset, declared: "I didn't see it, there was no buoy," to which witnesses replied that the Dive Master's buoy and fin were entangled in the vessel's propeller. The rescue was carried out by a sailor and another Dive Master who jumped into the sea when they saw Manuel was bleeding.
LACK OF IMMEDIATE ACTION
More than six hours have passed since the crash and there are no arrests. Port Captaincy has only cited the captain and the sailor to give their statement. The owner of the Maranatha 4 has not shown up at the clinic where Manuel is being operated on.
PROHIBITIONS AND NEGLECT
According to a statement from the Port Captain, on the reefs of Cozumel — including the Yucab — navigation is limited to a maximum speed of 4 knots. The accident happened precisely on the Yucab Reef, where the boat was not supposed to sail at that speed. However, the people involved have only been cited to testify to disregard liability; no sanctions and arrests so far.
In an urgent call for nautical safety, sources from the nautical sector expressed concern and outrage over this and other similar accidents. They point out that it is time to ban vessels with rear or middle controls, as this configuration dangerously reduces operator visibility and continues to generate tragic situations.
In addition, they requested the authorities to implement firm measures to prevent further tragedies at sea.
