Searchers scour Caribbean south to Belize for fishermen missing 11 days

MAHAHUAL, Q. Roo — After 11 days since the disappearance of five fishermen from Isla Mujeres, family and authorities still have no evidence leading to the whereabouts of the crew of the vessel “Anastacia”.

A body found in Mahahual within a lobster trap was not identified as one of the missing. The notice has been public for four days to Mahahual fishermen to assist in the search for their counterparts from Isla Mujeres. Although the five anglers disappeared from the Costa Maya coast between Isla Mujeres and Cozumel March 30, so far searchers have turned up no sign of the missing despite efforts that have extended as far as waters off Cuba and Florida.

Jaime Medina Flores, president of the Caribbean Lobstermens Cooperative and the Advisory Board of Banco “Chinchorro”, said the search will extend almost to the border with Belize. He added that the fact of not having found even a lifejacket of the missing is a good sign.

“The boats carry many items that float, and not finding any of them in the mangroves on the reef or the keys of Chinchorro, we believe that the boat did not sink and could be drifting anywhere,” Medina added.

As the days pass, relatives of the five islanders are eager to see them return, and although at times the situation is critical, no lost hope exists due to the different cooperatives and fellow fishermen searching at all times.

So far, they’ve collected more than 400 thousand pesos, which have been used for fuel and air searches by private aircraft; however, so far it has proved unproductive, since there are no signs of the whereabouts of the vessel or fishermen.

Family members indicate that elements of the Fifth Naval Region of the Mexican Navy concluded the second 96-hour period set for the search for the fishermen, and as in the first operation, there was no trace of them.

The support of the inhabitants of the island continues through pantries and food collections, among other supplies that can serve for the families of the survivors, who have no way to generate income.

Source: sipse.com