18-year-old Lissa Chung was flown to a Dallas, Texas hospital, but died after almost drowning.
More than 100 vacationing American high school students had to be rescued from a sinking catamaran off Cancun, Mexico.
The students say the vessel's crew abandoned ship and left the teenagers to fend for themselves.
"All the crew and captain had left. That's when we realized, maybe it's time to get off the boat!" says a student named Saya Arakawa
Surveillance video shows rescue boats jammed with students hitting the beach, and dozens of terrified teens running to safety.
"I grabbed my friend's hand and we just jumped in the water and started swimming," says Jackie Filippi, a student survivor.
Jessica Jasztal, another student on the boat, says, "I thought I was going to die. I didn't think I was going to make it out of the boat."
Six students in all told INSIDE EDITION their harrowing stories of survival, left to save themselves when the craft took on water.
"One of the girls asked the captain, 'What do we do?' and all he said was, 'Save your lives,' " recounts Terry Trovato.
Cameras captured images of a teenager being brought ashore, apparently drowned. 18-year-old Lissa Chung from Grand Prairie, Texas was flown to a Dallas hospital but died.
Josh Powell, who starts at West Point in the fall, was a hero. He stayed behind with no life vest to help others to safety, and describes the scene as "pandemonium."
It was supposed to be a trip of a lifetime, graduating teens from several high schools celebrating in the popular Mexican resort.
The boat, the Sea Star, was taking the teens snorkeling. But the survivors say it was overcrowded, with more than 200 passengers on board.
"Which is almost three times as many people as we are supposed to have on that boat," says Kierslyn Kujawa, another survivor.
The vacation organizers, Grad City, based in Massachusetts, says it is suspending all boat excursions out of Cancun pending an investigation.
Meanwhile the survivors say they're outraged by the actions of the captain and crew.
"You can't just leave a bunch of teenagers in the middle of the Gulf and expect them to fend for themselves," says Tammy.
Mexican officials are investigating the accident.
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Carnival Mardi Gras 1987 (Bahamas)
Carnival Legend 2005 (Exotic Western Caribbean)
Costa Mediterrenia 2005 (Eastern Caribbean)
Carnival Pride October 2006 (Mexican Rivera)
Carnival Legend 2007 (Western Caribbean)
Carnival Glory 2009 Western Caribbean
Carnival Liberty 2011 Eastern Caribbean
Norwegian Spirit 2011 Western Caribbean Carnival Miracle 2012 Southern Caribbean
I know this wasn't directly about cruising but it makes one reconsider their shore excursions. People need to remember that when not in the U.S we are not protected by U.S safety standards, often people book excursions with tour operators who are not reputable,not insured. Scary stuff indeed!
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Carnival Mardi Gras 1987 (Bahamas)
Carnival Legend 2005 (Exotic Western Caribbean)
Costa Mediterrenia 2005 (Eastern Caribbean)
Carnival Pride October 2006 (Mexican Rivera)
Carnival Legend 2007 (Western Caribbean)
Carnival Glory 2009 Western Caribbean
Carnival Liberty 2011 Eastern Caribbean
Norwegian Spirit 2011 Western Caribbean Carnival Miracle 2012 Southern Caribbean
Location: Acworth, Georgia, USA (north of Atlanta)
Posts: 289
the crew probably took off in the life raft that is normally stowed on that sized boat. The passengers only have life jackets.
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SWM 49 yo, 6-3, 155lbs. Non smoker.
UPCOMING CRUISE.. Carnival Glory, Nov 25 2012 out of Miami for 7 day western.
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Taken to many cruises to list here..Over 17 and counting. Finally reached Platinum with Carnival.
Catamaran sinks off Cancun, crew abandoned passengers
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