Yacht Catches Fire Off Cartagena; 13 Tourists and Crew Rescued

Thirteen people, comprising eleven foreign tourists and two crew members, were safely rescued after a fire erupted aboard the yacht Haya in Cartagena's Bay of Barbacoas. The occupants jumped into the water when efforts to extinguish the flames with three fire extinguishers proved futile. The Colombian Navy's Coast Guard Station in Cartagena swiftly responded to the emergency, while another nearby vessel assisted in transporting the group to Club Nautico dock in the Manga neighborhood.

According to reports, the fire broke out on Thursday, November 12, while the yacht was navigating in the bay. The captain initially noticed an unusual odor aboard the vessel and subsequently discovered the flames. Despite the crew's attempts to control the blaze using three extinguishers, the fire spread rapidly, ultimately engulfing the yacht. The cause of the fire remains unconfirmed in available reports.

Upon receiving the distress call, rapid-response teams from the Cartagena Coast Guard Station were dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and provide aid. A separate vessel navigating through the bay also offered assistance, successfully ferrying the 13 survivors to the Club Nautico dock in Manga. The Coast Guard units continued monitoring the emergency, while another vessel transported the group to shore.

Upon arrival at the dock, an initial assessment revealed that all 13 occupants were conscious and in good health. The Navy emphasized the importance of maintaining safety equipment and emergency supplies for all maritime activity.

The Colombian maritime authority, General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR), highlighted the significance of the incident in Cartagena, where boat trips connect visitors with nearby islands and coastal attractions. Between September 2025 and August 2026, Cartagena witnessed the movement of 53,376 motor vessels dedicated to passenger transport and tourism, carrying over 1,239,149 individuals to various maritime destinations and attractions.

These figures represent the scale of passenger and tourism activity in the region during the past 12 months.

In a separate incident, a tourist catamaran named Tayrona II caught fire in Santa Marta, Colombia, just days before the Cartagena emergency. The accident occurred at the International Marina in Santa Marta, and the marine VHF channel 16 alerted DIMAR's Santa Marta Port Captaincy. The rapid-response unit BP-727 arrived at the scene and found that firefighters had managed to control the blaze.

No injuries were reported, but the catamaran suffered material damage and losses. An investigation by DIMAR will determine the circumstances and cause of the fire, as well as any necessary regulatory measures.