Ferry Out of Service Since 2018 Partially Sinks at Isla Mujeres Dock

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo — The ferry Sergio Gracia Aguilar, which has been out of service since 2018, partially sank Sunday morning while moored at one of the docks on Isla Mujeres, drawing federal and municipal authorities to a stretch of water with heavy tourist and fishing traffic.

The Mexican Navy and the Port Captaincy — the federal agencies responsible for this kind of maritime incident — are leading the response. Isla Mujeres municipal officials said they have placed their personnel and equipment at the disposal of the naval authorities, while stressing that vessel incidents fall under federal jurisdiction.

Personnel from the municipal Civil Protection and Firefighters coordination traveled to the site to join the response effort alongside Navy and Port Captaincy personnel.

The municipal government said its staff will remain in the area to provide assistance while work to bring the situation under control continues, in line with requests from the federal agencies in charge.

The vessel had been idle for seven years before Sunday’s partial sinking. Officials have not said whether any prior reports existed about its condition or maintenance.

Authorities have so far not explained what caused the ferry to take on water or described its current condition. Official information has been limited to confirming coordination between federal and municipal agencies at the dock.

Any vessel left stranded or partially submerged in the area represents a risk to navigation and to the marine environment, a concern officials have not yet addressed in detail.