(Newswire.net — January 8, 2015) — San Jose, Costa Rica — The Public Security Ministry of Costa Rica updated its death count to three on Thursday afternoon in a tweet about the 100 foot catamaran boating accident that occured during the morning hours of Thursday January 8, 2015. Among the dead are named U.S. citizen Sharon Johnston and 80-year-old Ibor Stanly Hopkins of England.
The fated tourist boat departed from Playa Herradura on Thursday morning, and then issued a distress call at 8:40AM, that it was sinking just 6 nautical miles off the coast of Punta Leona in the Pacific Ocean. Evidently, the accident was caused by huge waves crashing into the double decker ship from unusually high winds that have plagued the country during the last few days.
Public security deputy minister Maria Fulmen said that five rescue boats were deployed, “with everything they need for the rescue, as well as two helicopters to rescue people and take them to hospitals.”
The Pura Vida Princess is not a Los Sueños Marina and Resort boat, and does not dock in the marina, but rather launches its daily tours off of Herradura Beach, next door. Nonetheless, numerous private boat captains out of Los Sueños Marina reacted immediately and set out to help rescue survivors of the sinking ship.
The transport ministry said the catamaran was a 2007 model and was authorized to carry 120 passengers and 10 crewmembers. According to the ship’s website, daily tours to Tortuga Island included snorkeling, drinks and lunch.
Mike Hardy, founder and CEO of HRG Properties and Rentals out of Los Sueños Resort said, “it was a terrible accident; I was shocked to hear about it since every boat captain that I know of cancelled plans to fish today. It’s almost unheard of that a day goes by without sport fishing, but today we were notified of several cancelations in the morning due to inclement weather.”
In shock and with minor injuries, about 40 survivors of the incident were taken to nearby Herradura Beach and the remaining were transported to Caldera hospital to be treated.
The US embassy is on hand but we have thus far been unable to obtain comment from the British embassy. US Embassy Spokesperson Alexis Sullivan said that a consular team was on site and an embassy official is with the Costa Rican Red Cross.
About Mike Hardy and HRG Properties and Rentals
Hardy Real Estate Group (HRG) provides a myriad of real estate resources and services for real estate investors, second or vacation homebuyers, and expatriates seeking to purchase a condominium or home in the Herradura Beach area or Los Sueños Resort and Marina. In addition to real estate, HRG also provides property management services for distant homeowners, along with Los Sueños vacation rental marketing, sales, and management, providing vacation planning and concierge services for guests.