Cozumel, Q.R. — Six Cozumel fishermen have returned home after being found adrift in the Gulf of Mexico. The small fishing vessel carrying six men and one dog was found Tuesday by a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
The ship came upon the drifting men after they left Cozumel three days earlier. State officials in Quintana Roo began an intense air and sea search for the missing vessel and its six crew. However, it was a Harmony of the Seas cruise ship that finally located the missing men.
“Our Cozumel fishermen who were lost three days ago have been rescued and are safe and sound. We appreciate the invaluable support of everyone who joined,” Governor Mara Lezama posted on social media.
Cozumel fishing boat Aris with six men and one dog was located by the cruise ship approximately 20 miles from Cabo Catoche, a Quintana Roo point on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
The small boat was seen adrift near the northernmost tip of the Yucatan Peninsula early Tuesday. Manuel “C” and his five boat mates along with dog Canelo were rescued by personnel from the ship.
Upon seeing the stranded boat, a yellow rescue lifeboat was deployed from the cruise ship to attend the vessel in distress. The cruise ship also notified Quintana Roo authorities that they had found fishing boat Aris.
Navy personnel arrived at the site to escort the men and dog Canelo back to land. Aside from being dehydrated, everyone on board was found alive and well. An engine failure caused the boat to become stranded at sea after the group left Cozumel early Sunday.
