It is supposed to be the honeymoon of a lifetime for one lucky Californian couple, Alexander Burckle and Elizabeth Webster. They’re in Hawaii, the land of breathtaking scenery and crystal-clear waters, ready to embark on a snorkeling tour with Sail Maui. But what was supposed to be an unforgettable day of adventure turned into a nightmare they never could’ve imagined.
The couple has filed a lawsuit against Sail Maui, claiming that the tour company abandoned them in the middle of the ocean, leaving them to fend for themselves in choppy waters over half a mile from the shore. They’re seeking $5 million for negligence and emotional distress, and it’s not hard to see why.
According to the lawsuit, Burckle and Webster were among 44 passengers who boarded the Lanai Coast snorkel tour at Lahaina Harbor. The excursion was scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. and return at 3 p.m. The crew set out to the second destination with only 42 passengers, leaving Burckle and Webster behind with no clear instructions on when to return to the boat.
After swimming for about 15 minutes, the couple realized that they were getting farther away from the vessel, despite swimming aggressively towards it. The water had started to get choppy, and they were struggling to keep their heads above water. They called out for help, but the boat had moved on to its second location.
At this point, the couple feared for their lives.
“We feared drowning,” they said. “Plaintiffs realized the Vessel had left them and was not coming back for them, and they decided that their only option for survival at that point was to return to shore.”
After another grueling 45 minutes of swimming, they finally made it to shore, dehydrated and fatigued. A resident on the island helped them out.
The lawsuit claims that the crew member miscounted passengers, leaving Burckle and Webster stranded in the water. An investigation by the Coast Guard found negligence on the part of the captain, and the company has since revised its procedures to require vocal contact with each passenger.
“They spent a lot of time in the water, and if they weren’t young, healthy people who were athletic, they probably would’ve drowned,” said the couple’s lawyer.
Sail Maui has declined to comment on the incident, citing the ongoing lawsuit. But for Burckle and Webster, the memory of that day will haunt them forever. What was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure turned into a fight for survival, and the couple is seeking justice for the negligence they experienced.
It’s a stark reminder that even in paradise, things can quickly take a turn for the worst. Whether it’s negligence or unforeseen circumstances, accidents can happen, and it’s important for tour companies to take responsibility for their actions and ensure the safety of their passengers. For Burckle and Webster, the hope is that their lawsuit will bring about change and prevent others from experiencing the same nightmare they went through.
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Sources: Scallywagandvagabond, NBC News, BuzzFeed
