Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Tugboat sinks, spills diesel near marina in Acapulco bay

Navy personnel were called in yesterday to clean up and contain about 5,000 liters of diesel that spilled into the ocean following the sinking of a tugboat in the bay at Puerto Marqués in Acapulco.

The tugboat belonged to the Cabo Marqués Development Group and was used six years ago in the construction of the Majahua Marina. The vessel began to sink early yesterday.

The spill forced beach-goers to retreat before the incoming oily tide.

The navy responded to the emergency with a helicopter, three boats and 74 troops who deployed a 50-meter barrier in an attempt to contain and recover the spilled fuel. In a statement, the navy announced that the situation was under control and that its personnel were cleaning up affected beach areas.

Some local business owners protested in front of navy headquarters in Acapulco to demand restitution for the loss of tourist dollars caused by the spill. They accused port authorities inaction after warnings that the long-abandoned tugboat had been damaged and was in danger of sinking.

Residents told journalists that authorities did not respond to the spill until eight hours after the boat had sunk. Acapulco Chamber of Commerce president Alejandro Martínez Sidney said it was “very unfortunate” that the authorities did not take appropriate measures to prevent the spill, though he stressed that federal and state authorities had effectively contained the situation.

Source: Reforma (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
The Tomás Garrido Park is an extension of the La Venta Museum-Park, one of the few open-air museums in Latin America, and features over 30 Olmec heads.

Villahermosa residents protest National Olmec Museum in beloved Tomás Garrido Park

0
Construction of the National Olmec Museum would occupy the grounds of the Tomás Garrido Park in Villahermosa, relocating the park's Olmec monuments and potentially killing the city's "green lung."
SimiPet care

Pawsome news: Dr. Simi launches budget-friendly veterinary care in Mexico

3
SimiPet Care offers basic veterinary services for dogs and cats, including vaccinations, deworming, glucose tests, wound care and travel certificates, for the low cost of 75 pesos (US $3.95).
Store workers standing for their entire shift

With new Chair Law, Mexico says workers have right to sit down on the job

2
Employers in the service and retail industries are most directly impacted by the Chair Law, whose objective is to prevent employees from having to remain standing for the entirety of their shifts.