A sightseeing excursion for cruise passengers in the Dominican Republic turned into a terrifying ordeal on Sunday, 9th November 2025, when a tour catamaran suddenly sank off the coast of Samaná Bay, leaving more than 50 guests in the water.
Cruise Guests Rescued After Catamaran Sinks
The 40-foot vessel, Boca de Yuma, began taking on water just minutes after leaving Embat Pier, reportedly following an “internal failure”.
Passengers and crew were forced to abandon ship as the catamaran quickly submerged.
Guests were wearing life jackets as part of standard safety procedures, and nearby vessels responded within minutes.
The Dominican Republic Navy coordinated the rescue, maintaining communication with the sinking boat and dispatching naval craft to assist.
“An excursion catamaran operated by an external provider sank on 9 November 2025 during a shore excursion,” confirmed TUI Cruises in a statement. “All guests are safe and were returned to Mein Schiff 1 immediately after the rescue.”
Videos posted to social media show a chaotic scene, with life rings scattered across the water and passengers spread over a wide area, as only one corner of the catamaran remained visible above the waves.
Calm Seas, Sudden Sinking
According to the navy, the weather was generally calm at the time, though minor choppy conditions were observed.
Authorities said the cause was initially reported as a collision with an unidentified object in the water, which caused the vessel to flood rapidly.
“The captain of the excursion boat immediately contacted other boats in the vicinity and requested assistance,” TUI Cruises said.
All guests and crew were rescued without major injuries, although many were shaken by the experience.
Most passengers were not dressed for swimming, as the tour was intended to be a relaxed coastal sightseeing trip rather than a water-based activity.
Investigation Underway
Officials from the Port of Samaná and the Dominican Republic Navy are now investigating the cause of the sinking and assessing whether the tour operator met all safety and maintenance requirements.
“The Dominican Republic Navy collaborates with local authorities to determine responsibilities and take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future,” a spokesperson said.
The Mein Schiff 1 had been sailing a 14-night Caribbean itinerary that departed La Romana on 7th November.
The ship’s original route, which included Ocho Rios and Montego Bay in Jamaica, was altered after Hurricane Melissa devastated the island. The unexpected stop in Samaná was part of the revised itinerary.
Guests Continue Cruise After Scare
Following the incident, all passengers involved received medical checks and counselling support onboard.
According to TUI Cruises, every affected guest chose to continue their cruise.
The 111,500-gross-ton Mein Schiff 1 has since resumed its journey towards Cozumel and Costa Maya, with further stops planned in Belize, Roatán, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, before returning to La Romana on 21st November.
Previous Excursion Accidents
While rare, shore excursion accidents involving small vessels have occurred before.
In March 2025, a sightseeing boat overturned in Cartagena, Colombia, with 38 cruise guests onboard. All passengers were safely rescued.
In contrast, a far more tragic event unfolded in November 2023, when a double-decked tour boat sank en route to Blue Lagoon Island in the Bahamas, leading to the death of one cruise passenger.
That disaster prompted several cruise lines to temporarily suspend excursions to the island until safety standards were reviewed.
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