Overview
- The wooden excursion boat began taking on water on the return from Peña Plata as sea conditions worsened and then sank.
- The nine tourists stayed afloat for about 45 minutes by tying themselves together with life jackets, ropes and two wooden boards.
- One woman used a waterproof cellphone to call a relative onshore, who alerted the Coconut Beach hotel to dispatch a rescue boat.
- All passengers were picked up without injury and are expected to return to Italy as planned, according to their account.
- The tourists reported that the captain lacked signaling devices and appeared inexperienced, and their complaint may lead to a coast guard investigation.