Isla Mujeres, Q.R. — Three crew bound for Isla Mujeres from Cuba were found shaken but alive Tuesday in Yucatan waters. The Secretariat of the Navy confirmed the finding of private boat Leemar adrift and badly damaged.
The boat went adrift after losing propulsion during the journey from Cuba last week. Leemar and her crew were located Tuesday by a passing merchant vessel 30 nautical miles (55 kilometers) north of Progreso, Yucatán.
Leemar was scheduled to dock at Isla Mujeres Monday but failed to arrive. The Isla Mujeres Port Captaincy issued an alert following the boat’s failure to show up after leaving Cuba November 6.
On Tuesday, the Mexican Navy and personnel from the Fifth Naval Region of Isla Mujeres provided assistance to the crew in the state of Yucatán.
“In coordination with the Ninth Naval Zone, the Fifth Naval Region dispatched a Defender-class vessel from the Naval Search, Rescue, and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR) in Yukalpetén, along with an interceptor patrol boat, to safeguard human life at sea,” the Navy reported.
“This action followed a report that the yacht had been located, lacking propulsion, by a merchant vessel 30 nautical miles (55 kilometers) north of Progreso, Yucatán,” they explained.
Upon arriving at the location and meeting with the merchant vessel, naval personnel offered to transport the yacht’s crew to a safe port.
Two of the individuals chose to remain on board the yacht while the third was transported by naval personnel to be handed over to the National Migration Institute (INM) for the completion of necessary legal procedures.
The Navy of Mexico says boat Leemar is currently anchored at the remote terminal in Progreso, Yucatán.
