Navy Deploys Vessels to Tackle Tulum Sargassum

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Two sargassum collection vessels belonging to the Mexican Navy (Semar) are now operating off the coast of Tulum to reinforce seaweed cleanup efforts. The ships had been out of service for over six months at the fiscal dock in Chetumal undergoing maintenance work.

According to the commander of the XI Naval Zone, Admiral Marco Antonio Muñoz Hernández, the three vessels designated for offshore cleaning tasks underwent corrective and preventive maintenance. They are now in optimal condition to operate. Two of them are already deployed in Tulum, while work continues on logistical preparations to improve their functioning in the area.

For his part, the director of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) in Tulum, David Buchanan García, confirmed that the vessels began operations in the municipality a couple of weeks ago. The objective is to reduce the environmental impact of the massive sargassum influx, a phenomenon that has consistently affected the region's tourist image and ecological balance.

To improve the efficiency of the vessels' maneuvers, local authorities, in coordination with federal agencies, are managing the installation of a floating dock in the coastal zone. This project, promoted by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), seeks to facilitate embarkation and disembarkation tasks and provide greater safety for the daily operations of the naval units.

With these actions, the fight against sargassum in Tulum is expected to be more effective during the current season, which has seen a greater influx compared to the last three years. This effort is for the benefit of both marine ecosystems and the tourism sector that depends on the cleanliness and conservation of the beaches.