boat accidents

Officials of the National Coast Guard Service, in conjunction with the Costa Rica Fire Department, fought a fire on Monday aboard a shrimp boat...

Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) has determined that negligence is not to blame in the January catamaran accident that claimed the lives of three tourists. But the case may not be over.

Thomas Russell Tomlinson, a 68-year-old U.S. citizen and Costa Rican resident, died from injures sustained when the boat he was traveling in collided with another boat near the Caribbean town of Parismina around 4:00 p.m. Thursday, according to OIJ spokeswoman Paula Madrigal.

Benita Smith, a 58-year-old Nicaraguan woman, drowned in the event. Another woman traveling with Smith, Mirian Sambola, was injured and taken to a hospital in Guápiles.

In the wake of several tragic boat accidents this year, government officials and environmental groups are pointing blame at the Legislative Assembly for failing to pass a bill designed to increase maritime safety and hold ship captains accountable for reckless behavior.