Massive search expands to find five Isla Mujeres fishermen missing for a week

ISLA MUJERES, Q. Roo — A massive search for five fishermen from Isla Mujeres who haven’t been seen since Wednesday March 30 has been extended to waters off Cuba and Florida.

Rented aircraft were being used to fly search missions over waters as far away as Cuba and Florida, as worried family members tried not to give up hope that their missing relatives would be found.

The 34-foot sportsfishing vessel Anastacia left Isla Mujeres on a shark-fishing trip near the island of Cozumel and were expected to return the following day. Friends of the missing fishermen have been reported as saying that the Anastacia is a sturdy boat and its crew are experienced.

The fishing boat Anastacia captained by Jorge de la O has been missing since March 30. (PHOTO: noticaribe.com)

Crew members are Captain Jorge de la O, Umberto Constantino, Alfonzo Torres, Marco Bardales and Russell Pech.

In the search the Mexican Navy was deploying three boats and two aircraft while private citizens and businesses had contributed several more.

Three aircraft joined the search on Sunday, one provided by the state government, another paid for by a local businessman and a third paid for with donations to a search fund by family and friends.

On the website gofundme.com, the Find the Anastacia Fund had raised nearly US $18,000 as of Tuesday April 5, after only two days. Anastacia co-owner Dianne Le Fon De La O of Carrollton, Texas, said the money would pay for fuel for the boats and planes engaged in the search.

Ferry service operator Ultramar contributed a 140-foot-long vessel and six crew members; it left Sunday with enough fuel to last 24 hours and carried 17 Isla Mujeres residents and many pairs of binoculars.

In addition to three other private boats, the 60-foot U.S. boat Emily Bliss headed out Sunday with seven people aboard, while TV Isla Mujeres reported that the U.S. Coast Guard was also participating.

Sources:

sipse.com

mexiconewsdaily.com

noticaribe.com