Isla Mujeres, Q.R. — UPDATED: The Mexican Navy has activated a search for two vessels missing from Isla Mujeres. The two catamaran-style vessels left the island March 20 bound for Cuba.
According to the Mexican Navy, there has been no confirmation of their arrival.
The Mexican Navy, acting as the Coast Guard, reports that it has activated its Search and Rescue component to locate two sailboats with nine crew members of various nationalities.
“These vessels departed Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, on March 20th, bound for Havana, Cuba, carrying humanitarian aid. As of now, there has been no communication or confirmation of their arrival,” they said in a statement Thursday.
According to available information, the vessels were expected to arrive between March 24th and 25th, however, authorities say there is no confirmation of their arrival.
As part of the implemented actions, the Naval Commands of the Fifth Naval Region and the Ninth Naval Zone, headquartered in Isla Mujeres and Yucalpetén, were alerted.
Notices were also issued to the maritime community to enhance search capabilities.
Inter-institutional coordination was also established with the Port Authority of Isla Mujeres and with technical agencies for maritime information analysis. This strengthens operational planning and optimizes decision-making.
In parallel, international coordination is being maintained through communication with shipping agencies and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers in Poland, France, Cuba and the United States, as well as with diplomatic missions of the countries of origin of the individuals on board, to strengthen cooperation and real-time information sharing.
Regarding field operations, surface and air units have been deployed to conduct maritime and aerial search patterns along the estimated route between Isla Mujeres and Havana. These searches are taking into account the planned course, possible points of change of direction as well as the prevailing weather conditions and ocean currents in the region.
Likewise, continuous monitoring and analysis of available information are being maintained. This allows for the updating of the search action plan and the identification of probable drift zones, with the aim of increasing the probability of locating the vessels.
The Mexican Navy urges the national and international maritime community, including commercial, fishing, recreational vessels and platforms operating in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, to immediately report any information or sightings of the vessels to the nearest naval authorities.
These actions are being carried out under international search and rescue protocols, prioritizing at all times the protection of human life at sea. The Mexican Navy reiterates its commitment to employing all available resources to locate the vessels and safeguard their crews.
UPDATE March 27, 2026: The Mexican Navy reports that following up on its Search and Rescue (SAR) component activated for the location of two sailboats that departed from Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, bound for Havana, Cuba, their location was achieved and communication was established with both crews.
As previously reported the vessels, identified as Friendship and Tiger Moth with a total of nine crew members of different nationalities, set sail on March 20 carrying humanitarian aid, without confirmation of their arrival on the scheduled dates.
So in strict compliance with the protocols for the safeguarding of human life at sea, a search and rescue operation was established.
As a result of aerial search operations, on March 27 of this year, a Persuader aircraft of the Mexican Navy managed to spot both vessels approximately 80 nautical miles northwest of Cuba (148 km), confirming their identity.
Following the location, communication was established with the captain of one of the vessels, who reported that:
• The crews were found to be in good health.
• The delay in their arrival was due to unfavorable weather conditions, particularly adverse winds.As a result of that call, the countries of the crew members’ nationality were informed about their discovery, their good health, and that they will be accompanied by a surface unit (ship) of the Mexican Navy for their safe arrival in Cuba. It is estimated that contact between the catamarans and said Navy unit will be made during the morning around 11:00 hours.
It is worth noting that during the course of this operation, the Mexican Navy:
• Activated the Search and Rescue (SAR) System under international protocols.
• It deployed air and naval units for the search.
• Established inter-institutional and international coordination with rescue centers and maritime authorities.
• It maintained continuous monitoring of the estimated route and oceanographic conditions.The Mexican Navy reiterates that the actions taken were carried out in compliance with its responsibility to safeguard human life at sea, prioritizing at all times international coordination and the efficient use of available resources.
