Overcrowding Blamed for Cozumel Boat Accidents, Mayor Says

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Overcrowding is the leading cause of boat accidents in Cozumel, Mayor Jose Luis Chacon Mendez said Thursday, citing a recent sinking in which a vessel carrying 19 people — seven more than its capacity — went down.

Speaking about joint safety operations with the Port Captaincy, Chacon said authorities must monitor passenger flow at docks and ensure boats have proper documentation before departure.

“They must not exceed capacity — that is, the number of people that board must match what the vessel is rated for,” Chacon said. “This is an issue we need to watch, especially because we have great natural beaches like ‘Cielo.’”

The mayor noted that in the recent sinking, the boat had a capacity of 12 but carried 19 passengers. He praised coordination between the Port Captaincy and local authorities.

Chacon urged tourism service providers to cooperate willingly when port officials request documentation, saying it is a matter of safety for both locals and tourists.

Regarding rental car companies, the mayor said that falls under the jurisdiction of the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo). He said a meeting will be scheduled soon to address issues involving taxi drivers, mototaxis, and car rental agencies.