Pirate party boat with British tourists sinks forcing people to jump into sea

A party boat with 148 people on board sank in the Mediterranean off the coast of Turkey.

The pirate-themed party boat Big Boss Diamond got into trouble while taking tourists on a day cruise along the Marmaris coast in Turkey.

Holidaymakers, including British tourists and some 20 children, had to abandon ship and jump into the sea when the vessel began taking in water and tilting.

The pirate-style ship, complete with decorative masts, had left the resort town of Marmaris for a day trip to Paradise Island on Friday.

But the tour came to a halt suddenly and the alarm was raised in the Akvaryum Bay when it began to sink.

The passengers and crew jumped into the crystal blue water where rescue boats had been called.

The ship is said to have sunk quickly and gone completely under in about an hour.

Footage showed only the masts poking out of the water with debris from the vessel floating on the surface.

Big Boss Diamond Marmaris, the boat operator, said on social media: ‘Dear guests and friends, thank you very much asking and worrying about us.

‘We are all safe and fine.

‘[sic] Till fixed up, Big Boss Diamond we will carry on our boat trips with Big Boss Yagna.’

Big Boss Diamond, a four-deck boat, offers all-inclusive excursions with unlimited alcohol for £35 a person.

It is advertised as a family party boat going around five islands, with a softplay area for children and a party section upstairs.

Social media videos show tourists dancing on the upper deck of the boat with music and a DJ dressed as a pirate hyping up the crowd.

Metro approached tour organiser Yagna Tourism for a comment.

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