What promised to be a day of rest and fun among friends on the paradisiacal beaches of the island area of Cartagena ended in a painful tragedy.
In the early hours of this Wednesday, October 28, the authorities confirmed the death of Yeferson Álvarez Restrepoa 18 year old young man from Medellíndue to severe injuries suffered in a maritime accident recorded in the vicinity of the Baru Island.
The event occurred around 1:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday, October 27 in waters near Barú, when The young man and his group of friends enjoyed recreational activities.
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Baru Island Photo:John Montaño/ EL TIEMPO
Although so far neither the General Maritime Directorate (Dimar) nor the Cartagena Metropolitan Police have issued an official statement on the exact causes of the accident, The young man’s body was transferred to the Forensic Medicine morgue.in the Zaragocilla neighborhood.
From illusion to tragedy
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Baru Island Photo:John Montaño/ EL TIEMPO
According to the testimony of the victim’s relatives, Yeferson and a group of relatives traveled from Medellín to Cartagena last Monday, October 26, in the afternoon to enjoy a vacation on the Caribbean coast.
The next day, they moved to the island area to carry out nautical activities.
According to city authorities, the group of friends went out to have fun on Tuesday around 1:30 in the afternoon. Once on the beach, The young man was on a jet ski when the accident occurred.
Jet ski crash and ongoing investigation
The preliminary versions provided by the victim’s companions indicate that the accident occurred after a strong collision between two or more jet skis in which young people moved.
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Barú beaches in Cartagena de Indias Photo:John Montaño/ EL TIEMPO
The impact left three people injured, including Álvarez Restrepo, who were initially helped by locals and boatmen and then taken to the health post in the town of Barú.
Due to the complexity of the wounds and bruises suffered, the young man from Antioquia was urgently referred to a more complex healthcare center in Cartagena, where Unfortunately, his death was confirmed in the early hours of this Wednesday.
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The competent authorities and coast guard are carrying out technical verifications at the scene to clarify whether the vessels involved had the operating permits, life jackets and regulatory safety measures for the provision of water sports in this troubled tourist area of Bolívar.
The tragic death of the young man from Antioquia in the waters of the island of Barú reopened the file on structural failures in the regulation, surveillance and operation of jet skis (jetskis) in the island area of Cartagena.
Despite the existence of a regulatory framework issued by the National Maritime Authority and the planning plans implemented by the District, the gap between paper and reality on beaches such as Barú, Cholón and Playa Blanca continues to claim lives.
The national regulatory framework (compiled in the current resolutions of the General Maritime Directorate – Dimar) establishes strict rules for the exercise of motor nautical sports such as:
In accordance with environmental and maritime regulations, the practice of motorized nautical sports (jetski‘donuts’, ‘worms’) is strictly prohibited in the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park. This restriction theoretically covers sensitive sectors of the insular area.
At points where the operation of motorized vessels is permitted, the standard requires maintaining a minimum distance of half a nautical mile (approx. 900 meters) with respect to the strip of bathers and 50 meters with respect to other boats or motorcycles in motion.
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Beaches of Cartagena de Indias. Photo:John Montaño / EL TIEMPO
The movement from the beach or docks to the maneuvering area must be carried out at a speed no greater than 3 knots (maneuvering speed).
Each vehicle must have a automatic shut-off cord (man overboard) attached to the operator, certified life jackets with whistle and a visible and laminated QR code that proves the registration and the operating company with a current license.
The question that tourists visiting Cartagena and the family and friends of the last victim ask today is: Are these regulations being complied with in Barú, Playa Blanca, Islas del Rosario and San Bernardo and Cholón?
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Documentary by journalist Jineth Bedoya. Photo:
Cartagena
