catamaran capsized costa rica

Horrifying Video from Costa Rica: Sinking 100-Foot Catamaran Claims 3 Lives

A catamaran carrying more than 100 people capsized and sank off the coast of Costa Rica, claiming the lives of three elderly passengers.  The horrifying video, filmed on a GoPro by 21-year-old Alexis Esneault, shows the boat tipping over as water quickly consumes the upper deck.

“At first I had no idea it was so serious. As long as we could have our Margaritas, I was fine,” Esenault old The Sun . “But then very quickly it became clear that there was a serious problem. People were sliding down the boat and screaming. It happened very quickly.”

Panicking passengers in lifejackets were quickly consumed by the surging water, trapping several of them under the canopy of the catamaran. The three elderly people who died in the incident are identified as Briton Ivor Stanley Hopkins, 80, American Edna Oliver, 68, and Canadian Sharon Johnson, 70.

The incident occurred in January of last year, but the footage has not been released until now.

Prior to departure, the National Meteorological Institute had issued a warning about strong winds in the region, but authorities said the boat was properly permitted and authorized by the port captain to set sail.

Our thoughts go out to the friends and families of the deceased.

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Terrifying moment Costa Rica tour cruise catamaran capsized and sank - killing a British man and two others - is caught on film

• Video shows moment boat carrying more than 100 sank off Costa Rica
• The catamaran flipped after it began taking on water in heavy seas
• Three elderly people died, a Briton, a Canadian and an American woman
• WARNING: DISTRESSING FOOTAGE 

By Sara Malm for MailOnline

Published: 04:29 EDT, 22 April 2016 | Updated: 15:10 EDT, 6 May 2016

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This is the moment a tourist catamaran carrying more than 100 people capsized and sank off the coast of Costa Rica, causing the deaths of three elderly passengers.

The terrifying video, filmed by one of the passengers, shows the boat tipping as water rushes in on the upper deck, with panicking passengers holding on to tables as it lists.

The whole incident is captured, showing passengers getting stuck under the upper deck canopy at the catamaran sinks, and their wait for rescue with the bodies of the dead float next to them.

Scroll down for video 

Fear: Passengers hold on to tables at the catamaran carrying 98 passengers and 10 staff being to list in heavy wind off the coast of Costa Rica in January last year

Panic: Tourists in lifejackets, including a woman holding on to her children, can be seen fighting for their lives as the water rushes in

Lucky escape: The incident was captured on a GoPro camera by a passenger who survived the capsizing

The catamaran carrying 98 passengers and 10 crew members sank off Costa Rica's Pacific Coast in January last year.

Three elderly people died in the incident; Briton Ivor Stanley Hopkins, 80, American Edna Oliver, 68, and Canadian Sharon Johnson, 70. 

Alexis Esneault, then 21, filmed the sinking on her GoPro as she was sat on the upper deck of the catamaran. 

'At first I had no idea it was so serious. As long as we could have our Margaritas, I was fine,' Ms Esenault, now 23, told The Sun.

'But then very quickly it became clear that there was a serious problem. People were sliding down the boat and screaming. It happened very quickly.

Incident:The passengers were tourists from all over the world, but a majority were U.S. citizens, who had paid 125 US dollars (£83) for a day trip to a nearby island

The catamaran carrying 98 passengers and 10 crew members sank off Costa Rica's Pacific Coast in January last year, but the footage has not been released until now

The whole incident is captured on camera showing passengers getting stuck under the upper deck canopy at the catamaran sinks

Ms Esenault was forced to take off her life jacket in order not to get stuck under the blue plastic canopy, and described hos she swam up to the surface as the boat sank around her. 

She told the paper how she and dozens of other passengers were left in the water for over an hour before they were saved, with the bodies of the dead floating next to them.

'I could see the British man had drowned, but there was nothing we could do. Afterwards I couldn't sleep for weeks - all I could see when I shut my eyes was water.'

The  National Meteorological Institute had issued a warning about strong winds buffeting the country at the time of the accident, but authorities said the boat was properly permitted and authorized by the port captain to set sail. 

Private boats in the area took in passengers until rescuers arrived. They were later transported to two emergency centers on shore. 

The video shows Ms Esenault  and dozens of other passengers in the water after the boat has sunk

Ms Esenault revealed they were left in the water for over an hour before they were saved, with the bodies of the dead floating next to them

Ms Esenault said the survivors had tried to keep each other calm in the sea as they waited for rescue 

One told the BBC : 'We were floating in the ocean. Many people were crying, screaming, asking for help,' an unidentified woman told local television.

Todd Olson, a tourist from Kansas, told the station: 'The captain started to turn the wheel to the left. There were pretty heavy seas and we started to take water on, apparently on the right side.

'Within a minute it was flipped. Very fast, shocking.'

Some 2.4 million foreign tourists - most of them from the US - visited the country in 2013, according to Costa Rica's Tourism Board and it is deemed as one of the safest destinations for tourists in Latin America.

Tour operator Pura Vida Princess reported the 100ft catamaran left Marina Los Suenos. They were going on a day trip to the popular Tortuga (Turtle) Island. 

According to the Pura Vida Princess website, the Tortuga Island day trip costs 125 US dollars (£83) and includes meals, a DJ, snorkelling and open bar.  

Tragedy: Tourists who survived a shipwreck off the coast of Costa Rica, are received by relatives in Herradura beach, Puntarenas. Three people including an elderly American and Canadian woman died

Distraught: A tourist who was on the cruise when the boat began to sink cries as she holds a cup

Safe: Passengers from the downed boat gather as they reach the shore. The vessel was carrying more than 100 people at the time 

Concerned: Tourists stand in groups at the Coast Guard station in Caldera, Puntarenas

Transport: A man wearing his swimming trunks is led to the bus taking passengers back to their accommodation 

Devastated: One of the passenger puts her head in her heads as she waits to go back to hotel 

Share or comment on this article: Video shows a Costa Rica tourist catamaran capsize and sink

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Three Dead After Tourist Boat Sinks off Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

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The sinking of the catamaran tour boat this morning in Costa Rica’s Pacific waters near Jacó claimed the lives of three people. The other 106 passengers and crew survived thanks to the rescue efforts by local boats near the shipwreck and relief agencies.

The accident occurred shortly before 10:00am, near Punta Leona beach, north of Herradura. The tour boat had left Herradura around 8:00am.

According to the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), the three deceased were identified as Sharon Johsnton (70 years) from Canada, Edna Oliver (68 years) from the United States and 80 year old Ivor Stanley Hopkins, from England.

Originally four people were reported having died. In Jacó, rumours spread that a fifth had perished on the way to hospital. However, by late in the afternoon, at a press a 4:00pm press conference by Vice-President, Ana Elena Chacón, confirmed that three people had deceased and 106 had been rescued.

“It’s a sad day for our country, that receives so many tourists,” said Chacón.

President Luis Guillermo Solís, from China (who is on an official tour of the Asian country until Friday) sent a message from his Twitter account.

Only 11 of the 109 people aboard (99 tourists and 10 crew) were Costa Ricans.

One of the first survivors, Arcelio Garcia, said the catamaran rolled over very quickly. “It was horrible. When I sa the caption come out and the choppy sea I said, something is happening.”

Stella Hopkins, an Argentine and the wife of the British victim, said she had thought that the boat would turn around because the sea was choppy, but the crew decided to continue the cruise.

Speculation is the strong winds and prevailing waves could have been the cause of the accident. Hector Chaves, head of the Bomberos said they ruled out a possible fire on board.

Costa Rica has been experiencing exceptionally strong winds this week. On the Caribbean coast, waves up to almost 5 metres (15 feet) have been battering the port city of Limón. In the Central Valley (San José), winds have uprooted trees and downed power lines in many communities.

The rescue efforts were coordinated by the Cruz Roja (Red Cross), the Guardacostas (Coast Guard) and Bomobers (Fire Department) that gathered their efforts at the Herradura (Los Sueños) marina.

A catamaran is a twin hulled design normally thought to be more stable in rough seas. The ocean generated a heavy chop due to high winds that have assaulted the country this week. The vessel carried life preservers for 174, reported La Nacion.

Chaves said  the catamaran sank quickly, within minutes in the 170 metres (550 feet) deep waters, and required the help of divers.

The capsized boat is owned by the company Pura Vida Princess, that provides tours to Tortuga Island.

The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) – Ministry of Public Works and Transportation – was quick to confirm that the boat, a 2007 Ecoquest with the identification P11400 had its certificate of seaworthiness, meaning it had met all the safety requirements to operate.

The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) – state insurer – confirmed that company has injury and death insurance coverage.

At the ready was the nearest hospital in Puntarenas after the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) declared a red alert for all medical facilities in the area of the accident, to accept possible patients.

In the end, all the passengers were rescued, only two required medical attention at the Puntarenas hospital.

This is not the first accident at sea. Since 1997 at least six shipwrecks have been reported on Costa Rica’s coasts.

The accident is sure to have a repercussion on the country’s tourist image internationally.

Canal 9 news reported that the company, located in Jaco, closed its doors today and cancelled all bookings, leaving employees uncertain if they have a job tomorrow.

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Costa Rica tourist catamaran capsizing leaves 3 dead

Vessel carrying foreign tourists sinks 15 km off coast, social sharing.

A Canadian is one of three people who died after a catamaran carrying dozens of foreign tourists on a pleasure cruise capsized off Costa Rica on Thursday, emergency officials said.

The boat, which was on a day trip to the popular Tortuga (Turtle) Island, sank completely about 15 kilometres off the country's central Pacific Coast.

Firefighters Corps director Hector Chavez said initial reports of an explosion and fire were mistaken. Survivors reported that strong waves filled the boat with water and caused it to sink, he said.

Chavez said three people died. The Public Security Ministry said in a Twitter posting that the victims were a U.S. citizen, the Canadian and a man from Britain.

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a Canadian died in the incident but did not offer any details, citing privacy concerns. 

Vice-President Ana Helena Chacon said at a news conference that 106 people were rescued, meaning all of the cruise's 99 passengers and 10 crew were accounted for.

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3 dead in tourist catamaran wreck off Costa Rica

A catamaran carrying dozens of foreign tourists on a pleasure cruise capsized off Costa Rica on Thursday, killing three people, emergency officials said.

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The boat, which was on a day trip to the popular Tortuga (Turtle) Island, sank completely about 9 miles (15 kilometers) off the country’s central Pacific Coast.

Firefighters Corps director Hector Chavez said initial reports of an explosion and fire were mistaken. Survivors reported that strong waves filled the boat with water and caused it to sink, he said. He also lowered the death toll to three, saying that one of the dead had been counted twice.

The country’s Public Security Ministry said in a Twitter posting that one of the victims was a U.S. citizen and another was from Britain.

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Private boats in the area took in passengers until rescuers arrived.

The tour operator reported that the Pura Vida Princess, a 100-foot catamaran, left Marina Los Suenos in the morning with 98 passengers and a crew of 10.

Rescuers had recovered 94 people from the shipwreck and taken them to two emergency centers on land. Authorities were awaiting the arrival of one last rescue boat to make a complete accounting of those on board.

According to the Pura Vida Princess website, the Tortuga Island day trip costs $125 and includes meals, a DJ, snorkeling and open bar.

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Three dead after catamaran capsizes off Costa Rica

Briton, US citizen and Canadian said to have died after boat carrying 109 people sank on day trip to Tortuga Island

A catamaran carrying dozens of foreign tourists on a pleasure cruise capsized off Costa Rica on Thursday, killing three people, emergency officials said.

The boat, which was on a day trip to the popular Tortuga (Turtle) Island, sank completely about nine miles off the country’s central Pacific coast.

Firefighters corps director Hector Chavez said initial reports of an explosion and fire were mistaken. Survivors reported that strong waves filled the boat with water and caused it to sink, he said.

Chavez said three people died. The public security ministry said in a Twitter posting that the victims were a US citizen, a Canadian and a man from Britain.

Vice-president Ana Helena Chacon said at a news conference that 106 people were rescued, meaning all of the cruise’s 99 passengers and 10 crew were accounted for.

“We want to extend our condolences to the victims’ families,” Chacon said.

The National Meteorological Institute had issued a warning about strong winds buffeting the country this week, but authorities said the boat was properly permitted and authorised by the port captain to set sail.

Private boats in the area took in passengers until rescuers arrived. They were later transported to two emergency centres on shore.

The tour operator reported that the Pura Vida Princess, a 100ft catamaran, left Marina Los Suenos on Thursday morning.

According to the Pura Vida Princess website, the Tortuga Island day trip costs $125 and includes meals, a DJ, snorkelling and open bar.

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Bob Patterson and a group of friends from Chilliwack, British Columbia, were four days into a two-week vacation in Costa Rica on Jan. 8 when the catamaran they and at least 90 others were on sank. The capsizing of the  Pura Vida Princess , one of the worst maritime accidents in recent Costa Rican history, claimed the lives of three foreign tourists including Patterson’s friend, Sharon Johnson.

“Her loss has been devastating for her husband and our group. It’s a day that changed our lives forever,” Patterson told The Tico Times. “The government told us they would get to the bottom of what happened.”

More than nine months later, the government has, at least, eliminated one possible cause of the tragedy.

After several months of investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) has determined that negligence is not to blame.

“The conclusion that the OIJ gave to the prosecutor in Garabito [a Pacific coast canton that includes Jacó, near where the Pura Vida Princess sank] was that there was no indication, evidence or witnesses indicating that the cause of the shipwreck was negligence or damages to the ship,” OIJ spokeswoman Paola Madrigal told The Tico Times in an email. Rather, she said, it was due to “natural causes.”

The Pura Vida Princess, owned by Global Crust Firm S.A., left Herradura Bay on Jan. 8 on its way across the Gulf of Nicoya for a day trip to Tortuga Island. Reports indicated that the sea was calm when the vessel set sail, but within 30 minutes the catamaran found itself in rough seas with waves as high as 2 meters and winds up to 45 knots. Before the ship’s captain could return to port, the catamaran started taking on water. The ship tipped on its starboard side and capsized, killing three passengers, one each from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The OIJ investigation was delivered to the Prosecutor’s Office sometime in June or July, according to Madrigal. The Tico Times requested the full report but the OIJ declined to provide it.

Although the OIJ determined there was no negligence in the accident, the case remains open, according to Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Tatiana Vargas. Vargas would not comment on the ongoing investigation but said the prosecutor in Garabito is waiting for the results of two pending private investigations paid for by the victims before deciding whether to pursue a criminal case.

Steven Ferris, a former prosecutor and a board member of The Tico Times’ parent company, said that if the OIJ does not find cause it would be unlikely the Prosecutor’s Office would file criminal charges. Prosecutors have the legal right to pursue a case without the assistance of an OIJ investigation but “it would have to be an enormous effort to collect evidence on its own,” Ferris said. He added that the OIJ’s report of no wrongdoing would bolster the defense’s case.

Recommended:  Tragic boat accidents renew calls for navigation law

Patterson, who was on the Pura Vida Princess that fateful day, said he was disappointed to learn of the OIJ’s report.

“I find that hard to fathom,” Patterson said. “We would like to see someone take accountability for this. There had to be errors on someone’s part for us to be in that situation to begin with.”

Patterson also said that neither he nor his group had received any word on the status of their insurance claims since June. He is not alone. Another passenger from the catamaran, Todd Olson, told The Tico Times in September that he and others he knew from the accident have yet to collect on their claims.

Calls to Álvaro Masis, the lawyer who was in contact with Patterson and other claimants on behalf of the Pura Vida Princess, were not answered by close of business Friday. Any response will be added to this article.

More than 10 months after the accident, Patterson said that he and his wife are still trying to recover emotionally from the experience. His wife continues to have nightmares about the capsizing, and he said they both think often of Sharon Johnson, who was 70 years old when she drowned in the accident.

“Yes, we’d like to be reimbursed for the stuff we lost, but is that the biggest thing?” Patterson asked. “How do you pay for a loss of life?”

If you have an insurance claim pending or fulfilled from the Pura Vida Princess accident, let us know.

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Canadian among 3 dead after catamaran capsizes in Costa Rica

Costa Rican police and emergency workers await the arrival of tourists who were rescued after a catamaran sank off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the port of Caldera, Costa Rica, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. The catamaran carrying foreign tourists was on a pleasure cruise when it capsized, emergency officials said. (AP / Enrique Martinez)

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- A Canadian is one three people who died after a catamaran carrying dozens of foreign tourists on a pleasure cruise capsized off Costa Rica on Thursday, emergency officials said.

The boat, which was on a day trip to the popular Tortuga (Turtle) Island, sank completely about 15 kilometres off the country's central Pacific Coast.

Firefighters Corps director Hector Chavez said initial reports of an explosion and fire were mistaken. Survivors reported that strong waves filled the boat with water and caused it to sink, he said.

Chavez said three people died. The Public Security Ministry said in a Twitter posting that the victims were a U.S. citizen, the Canadian and a man from Britain.

There were no further details on the Canadian. Canada's foreign affairs department confirmed a Canadian had died but could not provide further information citing privacy concerns.

"Canadian consular officials in Costa Rica are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the family during this difficult time," the department said in an email.

It was not immediately known if any other Canadians were on board the catamaran.

Vice-President Ana Helena Chacon said at a news conference that 106 people were rescued, meaning all of the cruise's 99 passengers and 10 crew were accounted for.

"We want to extend our condolences to the victims' families," Chacon said.

The National Meteorological Institute had issued a warning about strong winds buffeting the country this week, but authorities said the boat was properly permitted and authorized by the port captain to set sail.

Private boats in the area took in passengers until rescuers arrived. They were later transported to two emergency centres on shore.

The tour operator reported that the Pura Vida Princess, a 100-foot catamaran, left Marina Los Suenos on Thursday morning.

According to the Pura Vida Princess website, the Tortuga Island day trip costs $125 and includes meals, a DJ, snorkeling and open bar.

With files from The Canadian Press

Tourists who were rescued after a catamaran sank off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica are escorted from a Coast Guard station into a bus, in the port of Caldera, Costa Rica, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. (AP / Enrique Martinez)

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Terrifying Video Shows Moment a Tourist Catamaran Capsized and Sank Off Costa Rica – GRAPHIC

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Photo: Pura Vida Princess

A new video posted online shows the terrifying moments a tourist boat with more than 100 people capsized off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

The video was reportedly filmed by a 21-year-old student who was on the upper deck when the ship capsized and sank in January 2015. The video was only posted online Friday.

In the video, you can see passengers donning life jackets before the ship rolled over, sending the people into the water and trapping some under the deck’s canopy. Three people died in the incident, and survivors were left bobbing in the water before what looks like a Maersk feeder ship arrived.

We reported the incident when it occurred last year . The 100-foot catamaran, operated by the tourist excursion company Pura Vida Princess, was on day trip to Tortuga Island from Marina Los Suenos with 98 passengers and a crew of 10 at the time of the accident.

WARNING: The video below is graphic and may be hard to watch for some:

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Three dead as catamaran capsizes off Costa Rica

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

A catamaran carrying nearly 100 tourists and 10 crew capsized and sank within minutes off Costa Rica on Thursday, January 8, leaving 3 elderly foreigners dead while rescuers saved dozens from the choppy seas. Vice President Ana Helena Chacon said 99 tourists and 10 crew were on the pleasure cruise when it capsized off the Pacific coast. She said 106 were rescued and nobody was missing, as previously reported. Read the full story on Rappler .

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