The Nicaraguan Naval Force did not issue a warning to Corn Islands mariners on the day that the tour boat Reina del Caribe capsized off the Caribbean coast, resulting in the drowning deaths of 13 tourists from Costa Rica. Such was the statement made by Fermin Blandon, son of the boat captain who may be held criminally liable for this tragedy.

In an interview with La Prensa, a national newspaper in Nicaragua, Mr. Blandon had strong words against the Naval Force, which is responsible for issuing warnings about ocean conditions. In Nicaragua, the Naval Force is also tasked with preventing vessels from getting underway during rough seas. Mr. Blandon explained that no warnings were issued to Corn Islands mariners on Saturday afternoon; he added that local fishermen and other boaters were not aware of warnings about ocean conditions.

The Naval Force does not have a base or station on Little Corn Island, where 32 passengers boarded the Reina del Caribe with the intention of returning to Great Corn Island and later to Managua as their vacations were coming to an end. Most of the passengers were from Costa Rica and from the United States; the crew of the Reina del Caribe were all from Nicaragua.

The Reina del Caribe capsized in rough seas midway to Great Corn Island. The government of Costa Rica has declared a national day of mourning for the victims.

Statements made by the Naval Force to the press on this tragedy do not indicate the issuance of any warnings. Mr. Blandon explained that Naval Force vessels patrol the Corn Islands, and officers go ashore on Great Corn Island to issue warnings and to enforce orders to not get underway during bad weather and rough seas; such is the not case in Little Corn Island, where Mr. Blandon explained that mariners are pretty much on their own when it comes to marine forecasts.

The Corn Islands are located about 70 kilometers northwest of Bluefields. These islands were once under the sovereignty of the British Crown, and were later a territory of the United States when the region was known as the Mosquito Coast.