GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: small ccruise ship Galapagos Majestic sinks, onboard 200 Gallos Fuel
A coastguard rescued unharmed 16 passengers and 10 crew members, and although the Ecuadorian Navy ruled out a possible spill, worries about the fuel found in their tanks.
It was early morning of Friday, May 31, when the bow of the Galápagos Majestic touched bottom and moved north of the Santiago Island of the Galápagos archipelago (Ecuador), which resulted in water ingress that 6 hours later, around 4:30 would make it list 90º, to finally sink.
Fortunately, by then the 26 people on board (14 tourists, two guides and 10 crew members) had managed to self-evacuate using the lifeboats.
Received the alert on land, shortly after a coast guard boat San Cristobal Island rescued all safe and sound, to transfer them to Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz).
By then, the Ecuadorian Navy was trying to keep the ship shipwrecked afloat, worried about the 757 liters of diesel fuel on board, which could cause ecological damage in a highly sensitive area.
Despite everything, after almost six hours of assistance with the hull sunk by 90%, the efforts would be in vain and the Galápagos Majestic would end up sinking.
Even so, the local authorities ruled out the risk of ecological disaster: "The shipwreck does not represent until now risks for the natural reserve and there is no danger of spillage or contamination, since the fault was presented in the bow, far from the tanks" , reported the Cap. Diego Vacacela , Chief of Operations of the Directorate of Insular Aquatic Spaces.
Galápagos Majestic Could Recover
Local media later reported that the owners of the wrecked ship, which is chartered by the US Tour Operator Explorer Ventures , are expected to refloat it through the insurer.
"As a private ship, it must go through the respective inspection, and the fuel must be removed before bringing the ship afloat, in order to avoid contamination ," Vacacela added.
With 200 gt of gross tonnage, 36m of length, 3 decks for passengers, 9 cabins, capacity to receive up to 16 guests that serve 12 crew members, solarium and jacuzzi, the Galápagos Majestic , had started operating in Ecuador 6 years ago.
Photo Credit: Ecuadorian Navy
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