Tourist Boat Damages Mexican Coral Reef
 Associated Press
| | The wreck of C-58 Anaya sunk in front of Cancun beach to create an artificial reef in Cancun Marine Park. |
A crippled tourist boat and a vessel towing it partially sank off the Caribbean coast, severely damaging nearly 11,000 square feet of coral reef, officials said this week.
The tourist boat began taking on water Tuesday over the Punta Nizuc National Park, between the resort of Cancun and Isla de Mujeres island, said Alfredo Arellano, the environment department's regional director of protected areas.
The damaged boat, owned by the Dolphin Discovery company, apparently pulled the towing vessel down along the reef as it sank, Arellano said. There were no reports of injuries in the mishap, which was being investigated, he said.
The reef, covered with a rich variety of marine life, attracts tourists from around the world.
"It is hard blow to the local environment," Arellano said. |
Vallarta Weddings
Editorials | Environmental | June 2007 
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