Tourist Boat Detentions Hurt Mexico’s Coast

Isla Mujeres, Mexico — The Quintana Roo Nautical Association (ANQR) has issued a warning regarding the negative impact caused by the detention of tourist boats by the Port Captaincy of Isla Mujeres. These detentions have resulted in the forced disembarkation of visitors and a negative image for the tourist destination.

Ricardo Muleiro López, director of the ANQR, detailed that in the last six months, at least seven incidents have been recorded in which tourists were forced to abandon boats authorized to provide services, despite the vessels having insurance, certified crew, and permits in process.

"This undermines the safety of the passengers and generates a terrible image, because the tourists are left without the service they contracted and must find their own way back," he stated.

The cases have involved vessels with a capacity of between 50 and 100 passengers, representing a direct impact on hundreds of visitors. According to the association, each tourist generates an average expenditure of 150 dollars in the service chain. Therefore, in addition to damaging the destination's reputation, the resulting economic losses are considerable.

Muleiro emphasized that the enforcement operations should be directed against irregular vessels that lack registration, insurance, or accredited crew, and not against companies that comply with the requirements. In this regard, he proposed that the Port Captaincy expedite the processing of permits—which in practice can take up to a year, despite a legal requirement for resolution within 10 business days—or act as a mediator with central offices.

During the ANQR meeting, other topics were also addressed, such as progress in the identification of at least 30 sunken vessels in the Nichupté lagoon system. Their removal will be coordinated with the Regional Port Captaincy of Puerto Juárez, as well as the expansion of the Puerto Morelos pier to increase its operational capacity.

Finally, the association reported that they have requested a meeting with the Port Captaincies Unit of the Mexican Navy Secretariat in Mexico City to follow up on these matters and guarantee greater certainty for nautical tourism in the Mexican Caribbean.