Popular Cozumel Dive Guide Struck by Propeller: Undercurrent 08/2025

Popular Cozumel Dive Guide Struck by Propeller

from the August, 2025 issue of Undercurrent

Subscriber Content Preview
Only active subscribers can view the whole article here

Cozumel Dive Guide - Manuel Zepeda, known as Manolo

On July 25, a popular Cozumel divemaster who has led divers for more than 30 years, Manuel Zepeda, known as Manolo, was struck by the propeller of a speeding boat near Yucab Reef. His selfless action saved other divers from serious injury or death. Here is a paragraph summary of his uncle's report on Facebook.

Diving with six divers from a cruise ship, he inflated his red ascent buoy, which featured a big Nemo fish on top, making it very visible. A fast boat, which did not respect the speed limit of four knots in the areas of diving and snorkeling reefs, ran over him. He was completely on the surface, while two divers in his group were within a meter. Seeing the speedboat coming, he deflated his vest to push one of the two divers in his group, who was heading toward the two propellers. The other two were three meters below, but they were also heading toward the surface. Manolo suffered eight serious injuries to his back, legs, and hand. Fortunately, the maneuver of his mates on the boat to pull him out of the water and transport him to the dock, and the fast action of paramedics to get him to the operating room, saved his life....

Subscribers: Read the full article here

;