PEABODY, MA, June 11 GradCity-suspends-
PEABODY, MA, June 11 /PRNewswire/ - GradCity has suspended all
snorkeling cruises for students traveling to Cancun, Mexico for the remainder
of their travel season. The company made the decision following a snorkeling
accident which took the life of Lisa Chung, a high school student from Grand
Prairie, Texas.
This incident occurred on Saturday, June 7, during which a catamaran
operated by a local company took on water, forcing all passengers, 120 of
which traveled with GradCity, to evacuate the boat and swim to shore or accept
the aid of rescue vessels. The passengers were on a routine snorkeling
excursion off the coast of Cancun when the incident occurred. Several
passengers were injured in the incident, including Lisa Chung, who died on
Tuesday afternoon.
"Our entire team is deeply affected by this incident, and we are staying
in close contact with Lisa's mother to help in any way. Our thoughts and
prayers go out to Lisa's family and friends," said Jason Chute, Director of
Operations for GradCity. "We are conducting an independent investigation and
working with local authorities to investigate the series of events that led to
the partial sinking of the catamaran. All snorkeling cruises booked through
GradCity in Cancun will be suspended until the local authorities, as well as
our own independent investigation, provides us with the facts surrounding this
tragic incident."
The local cruise operator, Servicios Maritimos y Acuaticos del Caribe s.a.
de C.V. is registered with the Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes. The
capacity of the vessel, Sea Star, far exceeded the number on board. On the day
of the partial sinking, passengers boarded the boat at approximately 12:00
p.m., and traveled just off the shore line to snorkel.
Since 1987, GradCity professionals have arranged and hosted thousands of
students and parents on tours to the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada and various
destinations in the United States. The company works with parents, authorities
in various countries and travel destinations, and students themselves to
promote safe travelling. In 2007, the company launched its Break Smart
program, a campaign committed to helping students make responsible decisions
before, during, and after their travels and with the help of their parents.
GradCity employs some 95 people both full time and part time across North
America and the Caribbean, and has been planning vacation packages for more
than 20 years.
GradCity is accredited by the Student Youth Tour Association, Better
Business Bureau Care Program, American Society of Travel Agents, National Tour
Association and International Airlines Travel Agent Network.
For more information about the company, please visit www.gradcity.com.
For media information: http://pressroom.gradcity.com/
SOURCE GradCity.com
