Chiquilá, Q.R. — After days of searching, four lost fishermen from Chiquilá have returned home. The four men were located late Wednesday after an intensive search operation by Civil Protection.
The four lobster fishermen had been missing since February 3 when they failed to return home. The men set out early on the morning of February 1 aboard Andrea. As they were to return home, extreme winds from cold front 32 hit the region.
The northern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula was the hardest hit after being battered by wind gusts of up to 80 km/h. Family of the fishermen reported them lost at sea .
“Intensive search operations continue to locate fishermen in Holbox with the support of a plane, an ocean patrol, a search and rescue patrol as well as 10 private boats. Tours are carried out in an intense search to find the fishermen who, during the passage of the Cold Front number 32, went out to sea and did not return to the Port in Chiquilá.
“The Quintana Roo State Civil Protection Coordination, in coordination with the Secretary of the Navy, citizens, businessmen and family members, work on the location and rescue,” Coordinación Estatal de Protección Civil Quintana Roo reported.
On Wednesday night, Governor Mara Lezama confirmed the locating and rescue of the four men.
“I share with you that our fishermen friends who set sail from Chiquilá and were lost on the high seas have already been located and rescued.
“After an intense operation and coordinated work with all levels of government, citizens and mainly fishermen in the area, we can confirm that the four people are safe, receive medical attention and are already in contact with their families.
“We invite citizens to take extreme precautions when sailing, and always follow the instructions of Civil Protection and the Port Captaincy,” Lezama posted late Wednesday night.
The men were greeted by a large crowd and applauded as they walked to hug loved ones after being evaluated by medical personnel.
The four men have been identified as 38 year old Captain Carlos Rafael Dzib Martínez, 31 year old Saúl Jiménez García, 36 year old Donato Hu and 30 year old Juan José Quimé Méndez.
The crew of four boarded Andrea went out in search of lobster in the Cabo Catoche area at 8:00 a.m. February 1. They had enough provisions to last until their return home February 3. Their families reported them missing that day. It wasn’t until February 7 that they were finally found.
Assistance from Port Captains of Isla Mujeres and the coastal areas of Yucatan were also requested in the search. Authorities have not yet released details on their rescue.