BOAT: ALTA
March 18, 2010
This photo released by Galapagos National Park shows the grounded Alta yacht in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Sixteen Canadian tourists and eight Ecuadorian crew members were rescued from the yacht that ran aground on Wednesday. No injuries were reported. (AP Photo/Galapagos National Park) (AP)
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuadorean officials say 16 Canadian tourists and eight Ecuadorean crew members have been rescued from a yacht that ran aground in the Galapagos Islands.
The country’s national park service says all of those aboard the 140-foot (46 meter) Alta are safe. But it says it will hold the operator responsible for any damage to the region’s environment.
It says the vessel ran aground on Wednesday evening on the small island of Camano and that rough seas prevented the yacht’s recovery or removal of the fuel aboard.
The ship is operated by Florida-based Quasar Expeditions. A phone call to the company was not immediately returned on Thursday. Officials have not released the identities of the passengers.
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