New fear unlocked: You’re snorkeling on your Hawaiian vacation, and the tour company leaves you behind. That’s what happened to a couple during their 2021 honeymoon.
Alexander Burckle and Elizabeth Webster have filed a $5 million lawsuit against Sail Maui over the ordeal. They would like to be compensated for general damages for emotional distress.
It started when Burckle and Webster booked a snorkeling excursion near the small island of Lanai with the tour company. After the boat arrived at the snorkeling location, the group was notified they would have one hour to explore before moving on to a new location. No specific return time was given, nor was it explained how to return to the boat or what they should do in an emergency.
According to the lawsuit, the couple first encountered calm, clear waters, but the water became rough and turbulent. They tried to return to the boat, but it had left the area.
The complaint alleges the excursion was disorganized, and despite performing three headcounts, no one noticed the couple was not present. Jared A. Washkowitz, an attorney representing the pair, a Coast Guard investigation found Sail Maui negligent for an improper headcount. The Coast Guard report included a statement from a fellow passenger that it was reported to the crew that two people were missing from the tour group. A crew member denied that anybody was missing.
Once Burckle and Webster realized they were alone, they kept swimming and tried to make distress signals. Eventually, they got tired and began to panic. “They feared drowning was imminent,” the suit states.
Tired and dehydrated, the couple made it to the shore of Lanai. They wrote “SOS” and “HELP” in the sand to try and attract attention. Thankfully, they were discovered by local residents who gave them water and let them use their phones.
Insider reached out to Sail Maui for comment but has not heard back. The suit alleges the company has since changed its protocols.
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