More than 50 passengers on the German cruise ship Mein Schiff 1 sank in the Caribbean Sea after the catamaran sank due to hull damage.
Fortunately, thanks to the quick response of local authorities, everyone was rescued without injury. The 12-meter-long ship, named Boca de Yuma 1, set sail from Embat Pier for a sunset tour off Samana Bay. The group, including many elderly passengers and children, were watching the sun set over the Dominican Republic between 3pm and 3:30pm local time on Sunday, November 9, when a water leak occurred, flooding the ship and causing it to sink rapidly.
Dramatic footage and photos circulating on social media showed dozens of holidaymakers wearing life jackets bobbing in shark-infested waters as rescuers arrived. The Dominican Navy and Civil Defense coordinated the operation, with naval units providing logistics, communications, and operational support. The tour operator’s other boats safely transported the passengers to shore.
No passengers were seriously injured.
“There were no injuries and all occupants were rescued alive,” Ramon Liriano, head of the state’s civil defense department, said, stressing that everyone was wearing life jackets and safety protocols were followed. The exact cause of the internal damage to the ship is still being investigated by experts, he added.
TUI Cruises, the operator of Mein Schiff 1, confirmed the incident and said its representatives were in discussions with the tour provider and local police to determine the root cause. One passenger told German media outlet RTL that the ordeal was frightening, claiming that cruise staff “did not take care of the frightened passengers” immediately after their rescue.
The Dominican Navy praised the catamaran’s crew for their quick emergency response, saying they immediately issued a distress call and prevented the tragedy from escalating. The incident highlighted continued scrutiny of travel safety in the Caribbean’s popular tourist destination, but authorities stressed that maritime regulations played a key role in delivering a positive outcome.
