CANCUN, Mexico (13 June 2008) — Human error killed a teen diver on holiday in Cancun according to Mexican officials. Lissa Thang Chung, 18, suffered fatal head injuries when the Caribbean Carnival owned Sea Star tourist boat partially sank near Chitales reef in National Marine Park. Officials said the captain of the vessel, Agustin Cituk, was operating the Sea Star catamaran for the first time and lacked experience with a big multi-hull boat. Official investigations into the fatal accident revealed that Captain Cituk entered an area where he should not have gone and deliberately mislead authorities as to how many passengers were aboard to avoid paying "per head" marine park entry fees. "The boat's captain lied, with the aim of avoiding paying for more bracelets for snorkeling in the reef zone," said Port Captain Vicente Martinez Morales. Visitors are given bracelets to prove they have paid the tax. The boat, which is certified to carry 250 passengers, had 211 people onboard. Initial reports that the vessel was overloaded and that the victim was snorkeling next to it when it sank were not correct. | | Accident investigators said they believe Chung died as she and other passengers fled the sinking and listing Sea Star. Chung was declared brain-dead last Tuesday, three days after the accident. |
