Marigalante, a replica of Christopher Columbus’ galleon (Santa María), which has been used as a tourist attraction for circle 30 years, has sunk off the coast of Mexico.
The incident happened near the Buenaventura Hotel in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
As the crew attempted to return to port for technical repairs Marigalante started taking on water. The situation became severe with local media reporting that Marigalante experienced a critical failure in its bilge pumps. The ship gradually flooded from the inside. At one point, water levels reportedly reached 1.5 meters inside the lower deck and the ship began to slowly sink.
Efforts briefly slowed the flooding, but by the late afternoon, structural damage and water weight overcame the vessel’s buoyancy. The ship began to tilt and lose balance before the stern sank. Towing vessels and civil protection personnel manoeuvred the ship closer to shore.
Marigalante tilted to its starboard side as water washed onto the top deck, as seen in the footage courtesy of Yussara Canales.
How the crew responded to the emergency
Everyone onboard was evacuated. Safety protocols were activated from the outset, the operating company agreed. Rescue boats and other vessels moved away from the shipwreck as the three masts disappeared, while barrels and other debris floated back to the surface.
“Due to the strong tide, it was impossible to rescue the boat, which unfortunately ended up sinking,” the Puerto Vallarta civil protection and firefighters said.
Marigalante’s legacy and what comes next
Built in 1987 and officially launched in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Discovery of America, Marigalante was a replica of Santa María, the ship on which Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic.
The operating company notes Marigalante had become a living symbol of identity, history, and pride, gracing the waters of the bay with its majestic presence and offering unforgettable experiences to millions of visitors. Within two to three months, ‘the sister ship of the Marigalante will arrive in the waters of the bay, to continue its legacy of history, emotion, and Vallarta pride’.
Economic ripple effects for the local community
Measuring approximately 60 metres, with capacity for over 240 passengers the ship was one of Puerto Vallarta’s most profitable and popular attractions, according to local media. Hundreds of people relied directly or indirectly on its operation, from crew and performers to tour agencies, restaurants, vendors and even beach photographers. Thus, Its fate could have a ripple effect across the local economy.
The post VIDEO: Replica of Christopher Columbus’ ship vanishes beneath the waves appeared first on Marine Industry News.
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