The National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) announced an increase in security forces at ports and docks nationwide as part of its security plan. The objective is to prevent accidents during the summer season and the 2026 Carnival celebrations, a period of high tourist traffic to beaches and islands. According to aeronautical authorities, many vessels suffer hull deterioration due to waves, bad weather, or impacts when docking at ports and marinas, which creates risky situations for passengers, including injuries. Additionally, it has been detected that some operators or crew members navigate under the influence of alcohol, which represents an additional danger. "We are increasing the force presence at different ports and docks to prevent any situation we might regret," SENAN spokesmen indicated. Actions include increased surveillance, conducting tests, and controls to detect alcohol consumption by crew members, similar to sanctions applied on land routes. Those who operate vessels while intoxicated will face administrative sanctions and will be prevented from setting sail. SENAN emphasized that safety is a shared responsibility between authorities and citizens. Among the main recommendations are: — Create a navigation plan that includes checking the mechanical condition of engines and hulls, verifying communication equipment, and consulting weather bulletins from the National Civil Protection System. — Inform a trusted person of the destination, departure time, route, and estimated arrival time to activate alerts in case of delays. — Mandatory use of life jackets, especially for children and minors, who must use models appropriate for their size. — Demand that captains and vessel owners comply with safety regulations; passengers are primarily responsible for their own protection. Prohibitions on tourist vessels During operations at docks and beach/island areas, the entry of firearms, bladed weapons, and any object that could cause harm will be prohibited. These controls will be intensified within the framework of Carnival recreational activities. Response to recent migrant shipwrecks In the last few hours, at least two shipwrecks of vessels carrying migrants have been recorded in Costa Arriba de Colón, specifically on routes from the Miramar dock to the Guna Yala Comarca (Porvenir area and surroundings). The vessels departed after checks by Migration and the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), with apparently favorable maritime conditions at the time, but the Caribbean Sea changes rapidly during this season. In one case, 15 people were rescued from one vessel and 12 from another, thanks to the quick reaction of the National Border Service (SENAFRONT), in coordination with the Guna Yala General Congress and indigenous vessels. Unfortunately, four people were transferred to health centers in the comarca, where their condition was determined (final details pending in some reports). SENAN attributes these incidents possibly to mechanical failures aggravated by waves or sudden weather changes. It reiterated that it operates jointly with the AMP and other entities in the "Safe Return Operation" to monitor these migration routes. The aeronautical authorities call on the population to take extreme precautions at sea during this high season, remembering that "safety begins with each of us and is a joint task between security agencies and citizens".
