Cozumel, Q.R. — Three Cozumel fishermen reported missing at sea were found Wednesday. The trio found themselves stranded in the sea after diving off their boat to fish. When they surfaced, their boat was no where to be found.
According to Cozumel Police, all three managed to swim from Ixpalbarco to the shore of Mezcalitos where they were located by a Public Security unit who was already searching for them.
Local authorities were made aware something was wrong when the men failed to return home. A coordinated effort between federal, state and municipal authorities lead to their safe return.
In a statement released by the Citizen Security (Seguridad Ciudadana) of Cozumel the “fishermen were found safe and sound in Chen Río after a search operation. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning December 11, when the fishermen went to carry out activities at sea. When they got off their boat, they lost sight it.”
After being alerted by their relatives, “a search operation was activated in which the Naval Station for Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance (ENSAR), State Public Security and the Municipal Police participated.
“Fishermen Julio César Córdova Escamilla, 27, Antonio Pech Can, 37 and José Miguel Santos Estrella, 40, managed to swim from Ixpalbarco to the shore of Mezcalitos where they were located by a Public Security unit.
“They were later transferred to Chen Río, where they were reunited with their families. Thanks to the quick coordination of the authorities, the incident had a positive outcome.”
According to the SSC of Quintana Roo (Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana de QRoo), the three fishermen reported missing Wednesday morning were located 2 kilometers from Mezcalitos beach.
“After a joint operation by state, municipal and federal authorities, they were transferred to Chen Río where they received medical attention.”
On Tuesday, State Civil Protection warned about the arrival of strong winds and heavy rain with the entry of a polar air mass from the U.S. The mass of polar air, Cold Front No. 14, is expected to continue generating strong wind gusts until Saturday.
