Isla Mujeres, Q.R. — Nine people were rescued from aboard a small boat by a cargo vessel in Quintana Roo waters. The nine were spotted in their boat by a passing tanker Sunday.
The tanker loaded the three women and six men onto their boat from where they notified Quintana Roo authorities. The tanker found the nine floating in waters approximately 316 kilometers southeast of Isla Mujeres.
A Mexican navy vessel set out to meet the tanker.
“For the above and with the objective of safeguarding human life at sea, the departure of a Defender-type vessel from the Naval Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR) of Isla Mujeres was immediately ordered in order to go to the designated area, managing to intercept the aforementioned cargo ship seven nautical miles (approximately 13 kilometers) north of Isla Mujeres to receive the nine people,” the Navy said in a statement.
Once Mexican personnel reached the tanker, the nine people of foreign origin were transferred to Isla Mujeres where “they were attended to by Naval Health personnel, finding them in good health.”
They were eventually taken to the pier of the Puerto Juárez Naval Station where they were received by authorities of the National Institute of Migration to carry out the corresponding legal procedures.
