BajaNomad - Missing fishermen

Missing fishermen

weebray - 1-10-2013 at 07:20 AM

My neighbor runs a commercial fishing operation out of Puerto San Carlos. He has asked for any and all the help possible in locating two missing fishermen. They left the south end of Isla Magdalena at around 2PM on Jan. 3rd on a heading of 220 degrees. Their longlines are about 45 miles out. They have not returned as of today. They are in a 23 foot open panga, white and blue. named Gabi III. The current and winds have most likely pushed them south. If you know people on the water or flying in the area please advise them of the situation. Please call the Mexican navy (52 55 562 456 00)if you hear of or know anything.

bill erhardt - 1-10-2013 at 08:23 AM

weebray......45 miles out of the Entrada at 220 would put them around the Petrol bank. That area and the banks south are plied by the long range fleet out of San Diego. You can find out from this site which of the boats are now in the area:

http://976-tuna.com/longrange.php

You may want to contact the home offices of the boats now working the lower banks and ask them to be on the lookout. You can get the phone numbers from the sites of the individual boats.

Good luck.

Osprey - 1-10-2013 at 08:43 AM

The Pony Express says they are locals from over here in East Cape. If they are running longlines one would think they have permission over there on the banks.

The San Carlos fishermen are notoriously insular and brave -- hate to think of it but it is veeery hard to sink a panga so their disappearance might not be weather related or engine failure. Hope I'm wrong, hope it's just a problem with the motor and they are out there waiting to be spotted from the air or sea.

shari - 1-10-2013 at 08:48 AM

there were a few deaths last year in our area when pangas flipped in high winds and seas...did the area sustain high winds like we did last week? It blew up to 30 knots and that would certainly be trouble for an open panga out there.

Prayers go out to them and their families and friends.

BajaBlanca - 1-10-2013 at 08:57 AM

It was ever so windy on the East Cape - the kiteboarders were having the time of their lives. I sure hope the fishermen are found soon, alive and well.

micah202 - 1-10-2013 at 09:49 AM

...a couple more details from the ventana newsletter-seems they're from there...............I sure hope/pray they're allright!

Cry for help:
-
Two of our own community Pescadores, Loreto Lucero Castro and Eduardo Calderon Lucero have been lost at sea. They were fishing on the Pacific Coast as many of our local fishermen need to do every winter to continue supporting their families. The local communities are presently having a fund drive to be able to hire a plane to aid in the search and rescue efforts. Time is crucial, my understanding is that they have been missing for 5 days now. Please dig deep to expedite this hopefully life saving effort.
I will have a Donation Can at the School Fundraiser Table at the Farmer's Market Thursday. simmarybill@hotmail.com
++

LancairDriver - 1-10-2013 at 11:16 AM

Carrying a SPOT satellite tracking device would save lives in exactly this type of situation. It is not that expensive and maybe the co-ops or other fisherman's organizations could be made aware of and educated on the capabilities this device offers.
Many Nomads are already using SPOT. Check it out at www.findmespot.com

2 guys in panga

captkw - 1-10-2013 at 11:28 AM

Hola,,,First off, they are not "fishing" they are rapeing the ocean....long lines have nothing to with Fishing....just Killing...second..pangas are a poor excuse for a seaworthy boat and can sink easy with no flotaion built in and low gunnels in a mono hull design that are more than out dated and over rated by none boat folks.......K&T

[Edited on 1-10-2013 by captkw]

Paula - 1-10-2013 at 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
Hola,,,First off, they are not "fishing" they are rapeing the ocean....long lines have nothing to with Fishing....just Killing...second..pangas are a poor excuse for a seaworthy boat and can sink easy with no flotaion built in and low gunnels in a mono hull design that are more than out dated and over rated by none boat folks.......K&T

[Edited on 1-10-2013 by captkw]

Maybe we should be a bit less judgmental and more empathetic here. These guys probably weren't very happy about needing to resort to long lining from a panga in the Pacific in January to support their families. It's a cruel world sometimes. No need for us to pile it on.

dtbushpilot - 1-10-2013 at 12:13 PM

Quote:

Nice cap, real nice....I was hoping we could get off the first page of the post before some jacka$$ made an irrelevant post about the misfortune of these poor fishermen and their families...

bajafreaks - 1-10-2013 at 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtbushpilot

Quote:

Nice cap, real nice....I was hoping we could get off the first page of the post before some jacka$$ made an irrelevant post about the misfortune of these poor fishermen and their families...

Exactly !

grizzlyfsh95 - 1-10-2013 at 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtbushpilot

Quote:

Ditto
Nice cap, real nice....I was hoping we could get off the first page of the post before some jacka$$ made an irrelevant post about the misfortune of these poor fishermen and their families...

JUST STATING THE FACTS

captkw - 1-10-2013 at 01:16 PM

NOT,, being rude, but we lose folks all the time..I hope they return..but when someone calls longlineing "fishing" I Will correct that ..Be advised,, I've done SAR a good part of my life and on top of that,,, I have trolled from La Paz to cabo to the "rocks" then to the "sandwhich/cook" islands then to Alaska...and 8/9 times a day would have to clean my lure of plastic/nylon sections of long lines & nets....2/3000 miles from land !! so,, I think a have a little time with nets & long lines..... Looks like you fly ??? so,,I would assume you know the signs to give to a boat to follow you,, to help aid in times of distress ??????

weebray - 1-10-2013 at 01:22 PM

I am astounded at the response by cap. He sounds more like an ultra pendjo than a ultra nomad. This family is a 4th generation family of fishermen. They have been in this business since before all of us were born. They recognize that the industry is changing and are taking steps to deal with the future. Change will come but at the moment this is what they know. Let's not rush to judge them, let's rush to help them.

willardguy - 1-10-2013 at 01:35 PM

remember back in 2006 when three fishermen from nayarit went adrift for 9 months and 9 days before being rescued in the marshall islands? lets hope our guys dont have to wait that long!

desertcpl - 1-10-2013 at 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paula

Quote:

I agree Cap, you are out of line on this one,, we are talking about their lives not about the method of fishing or as you say not fishing, start another tread if you want to expond on your vast knowledge of all things

weebray & all

captkw - 1-10-2013 at 01:43 PM

Hola,,I'm sorry my post was not better written...I'm not much of a writer.. as any one will tell you.....I guess its sounds like like I dont care....when nothing could be further than the truth... I will not retract my first post,, I will state thate I'm sorry that I did not write in a better manner as to express my feelings on the matter..and may the two guys in the panga return with Godspeed and a happy ending...there is Much more that can be done to help those guys...!. call the mexican navy.....2. call marina de la paz.....get the info into the boating groups asap & dont bother wasting time with me !!!

micah202 - 1-10-2013 at 08:10 PM

.......GREAT news from ventana!!!!!!! .......

All is well that ends well. To the best of our information at this time the fishermen were found by a sailboat mas o menos 90 k sw of Cabo San Lucas. Battery died so they could not start their motor or use their radio. They are still on the sailboat and are supposed to get into Cabo late tonight or tomorrow and probably go to the hospital for observation. There were two planes, one from Cabo and one from LaPaz doing circular searches. This is the best that I could gather. Gracias to all.

msteve1014 - 1-10-2013 at 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
NOT,, being rude, but we lose folks all the time..I hope they return..but when someone calls longlineing "fishing" I Will correct that ..Be advised,, I've done SAR a good part of my life and on top of that,,, I have trolled from La Paz to cabo to the "rocks" then to the "sandwhich/cook" islands then to Alaska...and 8/9 times a day would have to clean my lure of plastic/nylon sections of long lines & nets....2/3000 miles from land !! so,, I think a have a little time with nets & long lines..... Looks like you fly ??? so,,I would assume you know the signs to give to a boat to follow you,, to help aid in times of distress ??????

Yes you were being rude,..... as usual.

shari - 1-10-2013 at 08:49 PM

gracias Micah for that wonderful news...it makes me so happy for them and their families and friends...lucky guys...they could have drifted a long time! What a great story the cruisers will have to tell their grandchildren as well...goh I sure love happy endings!!!

willardguy - 1-10-2013 at 09:03 PM

yup, they were on their way to the marshall islands! great news :bounce:

Paula - 1-10-2013 at 09:48 PM

So happy they are safe!

captkw - 1-10-2013 at 10:31 PM

:bounce:

aguachico - 1-11-2013 at 06:59 AM

that's great news. Damn wet batteries. They need maintenance. check water level every 8 weeks. So easy to do, so easy to forget.

Pescador - 1-11-2013 at 08:49 AM

Quote:

When you don't even bother to proofread the crap that you write. it shows complete disrespect and your poor attempt at showing everyone how smart and knowledgable you want to seem. The truth is that this post shows you to be completely out of touch and so strongly opinionated that any connection to reality can only be marginal at best. It is easy to be flippant and cute, but your attempts at doing so fall very short and hardly measure up.

I am not condoning panga longlining but I for sure know the difference between a commercial boat that puts out up to 10 miles of hooks and lines and a panga with 100 hooks trying to feed his family.

But the post was not about a critique of longlining, it was an attempt to alert people that two fishermen were missing and you again muddied up the water in a childish attempt to be seen as cute and cantakerous.

There is one bright side to all of this, and that is I have learned to skip the things that you write.

ncampion - 1-11-2013 at 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
Hola,,I'm sorry my post was not better written...I'm not much of a writer..

Gee capt, it's nice to know there's something that you don't know everything about. I to tend to skip over your posts as they are always boastful and often wrong, not to mention poorly written.

vandenberg - 1-11-2013 at 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ncampion

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
Hola,,I'm sorry my post was not better written...I'm not much of a writer..

Gee capt, it's nice to know there's something that you don't know everything about. I to tend to skip over your posts as they are always boastful and often wrong, not to mention poorly written.

Definitely not a guy you want camping next to you. :biggrin:

micah202 - 1-11-2013 at 09:27 AM

...ahh,well I'm sure Cap'n got the point.

....I'm just glad the situation worked out well!
........too many times it goes the other way

desertcpl - 1-11-2013 at 10:21 AM

I agree with Willard,, they was on their way to the south seas, this could have turned out terrible

happy ending

unbob - 1-11-2013 at 10:59 AM

At the risk of sounding crass, considering the sizable sum that was collected to hire search planes (which I assume was not used), this may have been the most profitable fishing trip these guys have ever had!

desertcpl - 1-11-2013 at 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by unbob
At the risk of sounding crass, considering the sizable sum that was collected to hire search planes (which I assume was not used), this may have been the most profitable fishing trip these guys have ever had!

question: are camping next to Cap t

micah202 - 1-11-2013 at 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by micah202
.......GREAT news from ventana!!!!!!! .......

All is well that ends well. To the best of our information at this time the fishermen were found by a sailboat mas o menos 90 k sw of Cabo San Lucas. Battery died so they could not start their motor or use their radio. They are still on the sailboat and are supposed to get into Cabo late tonight or tomorrow and probably go to the hospital for observation. There were two planes, one from Cabo and one from LaPaz doing circular searches. Text This is the best that I could gather. Gracias to all.

....well,'unBob'....that does sound more than a little 'crass',,,anyways,it seems planes were paid-for,,,,I know ~$1000 was raised in ventana

[Edited on 1-11-2013 by micah202]

BajaBlanca - 1-11-2013 at 03:45 PM

yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

that is excellent news !

[Edited on 1-11-2013 by BajaBlanca]

weebray - 1-11-2013 at 04:11 PM

We have just talked with my neighbor (2 PM Fri the 11th) that owns the panga in question. He has not heard from the missing young men nor any official in charge of the search and rescue. He told me that this report appears to be a cruel joke. This has been quite a blow to the search efforts. The money being raised is helping to pay for air search services, not as some have suggested for their cushy retirement. We have been in touch with the US coast guard. They told us that as soon as the Mexican gov't requests their assistance they will join the search. So far the Mexican gov't has refused to ask for assistance. We are not sure why. Bobby Ray

shari - 1-11-2013 at 04:21 PM

oh no....that is just awful...please keep us updated weebray and thank you for your efforts. I cant imagine why anyone would report this if it weren't true.

unbob - 1-11-2013 at 06:10 PM

OK, it seems no one on this mb really has the facts (especially me) - in any case, I do wish the best for the fishermen and their families. I sincerely hope this ends on a positive note!

micah202 - 1-11-2013 at 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by weebray
We have just talked with my neighbor (2 PM Fri the 11th) that owns the panga in question. He has not heard from the missing young men nor any official in charge of the search and rescue. He told me that this report appears to be a cruel joke. This has been quite a blow to the search efforts. The money being raised is helping to pay for air search services, not as some have suggested for their cushy retirement. We have been in touch with the US coast guard. They told us that as soon as the Mexican gov't requests their assistance they will join the search. So far the Mexican gov't has refused to ask for assistance. We are not sure why. Bobby Ray

...strange,,,such details as the boat that rescued them,,,, that they were in hospital in Cabo,and others,,, would seem to be verifiable........I've put in a request for such.

...maybe the boat owner wasn't notified??

...I'll let yer know if I hear something from the ventana folks.

micah202 - 1-11-2013 at 10:11 PM

...from the ventana people who were fundraising........wow

It appears they have not been found. Either other fishermen were found or the authorities haven't received the information some family members think they have or need to hang on to. Since the town wide celebration last night it seems hard to find anyone who knows the whole truth. A dad believes his son is on a German Freighter, a brother is flying out with coordinates where they are along with a rescue team by boat and another brother is trying to get the search effort back together and get a plane back in the air. I know they are working on sending out at least another plane. I will keep everyone that sent me an email earlier informed but for now I am weighing the information before I send out the wrong info again. It is hard not to have believed a whole town celebrating.

micah202 - 1-12-2013 at 09:39 AM

from this morning's Ventana View......I can't imagine how it would be for them after celebrating the -false- news on thursday night

....if anybody wants to donate to the -very- legitimate airsearch fund,,,send an email to ........ simmarybill<at>hotmail<dot>com

Missing Fishermen:
Unfortunately, the reports the community received Thursday night were not correct. Eduardo & Loreto are still missing. Eduardo's brother will be flying a search plane again today to continue the search. It seems there may have been a misinterpretation of a Cabo news report.

[Edited on 1-12-2013 by micah202]

desertcpl - 1-12-2013 at 09:49 AM

sorry to hear about not being found

I am sure you will keep us informed

micah202 - 1-14-2013 at 01:02 PM

....sadly there's still no news on the ventana fishermen.

.....there's a gathering to raise donations in Ventana for the families.....

''There is going to be a Gran Kermes to benefit the families of the lost fishermen. It will be today, Monday at 4pm at the Kindergarten School (Jardin de Ninjos America) in El Sargento. Justina, who requested this be announced, says they will be collecting food (including can and dry goods) as well as other essentials that are needed when a paycheck is not coming in. If you wish to help but are not sure how... Justina invites you to her house in El Sargento, it is across from the church with the hotdog stand attached. There are a two year old and I believe 12 and 13 year old children. Gracias por su apoyo.'' simmarybill<at>hotmail<dot>com

Speaking of missing

durrelllrobert - 1-14-2013 at 05:46 PM

Has any one heard anything about the McStay family that's been missing for 3 years ?

micah202 - 1-14-2013 at 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Has any one heard anything about the McStay family that's been missing for 3 years ?

...you might want to post your question as a new thread,,-this- thread is about 2 missing fishers from Ventana/Sargento

durrelllrobert - 1-15-2013 at 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by micah202

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Has any one heard anything about the McStay family that's been missing for 3 years ?

...you might want to post your question as a new thread,,-this- thread is about 2 missing fishers from Ventana/Sargento

Sorry I wasn't trying to highjack thread but since the fishermen were found safe and sound I just thought I'd sk about this family last seen crosing into Baja. OK, I'll start a new thread.

micah202 - 1-15-2013 at 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

Originally posted by micah202

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Has any one heard anything about the McStay family that's been missing for 3 years ?

...you might want to post your question as a new thread,,-this- thread is about 2 missing fishers from Ventana/Sargento

Sorry I wasn't trying to highjack thread but since the fishermen were found safe and sound I just thought I'd sk about this family last seen crosing into Baja. OK, I'll start a new thread.

....I wish that were true!
....the early report of the fishers being found,turned out to be a mis-fire!....it seems a different pair were found,,,but not the ones reported missing!!
.....12 days now,,still no news

[Edited on 1-15-2013 by micah202]

cabobaja - 1-17-2013 at 09:42 AM

Red Cross, local fishermen requesting donations this morning at main
traffic (only) light in Todos Santos. Pray they find the missing fishermen
soon.

weebray - 1-17-2013 at 03:13 PM

I just talked with the owner of this panga. The "boys" are still missing and the owner as well as all their friends and family are in agony. The Mexican gov't still refuses to abdicate their sovereignty to the US Coast Guard. I am not on completely firm ground on that but that was my interpretation of what he said to me in Espanol.

Hook - 1-17-2013 at 04:34 PM

So, is Mexico exercising her sovereignty over her waters and searching for them?

desertcpl - 1-17-2013 at 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
So, is Mexico exercising her sovereignty over her waters and searching for them?

my input,, sovereignty yes,, the later NO

weebray - 1-19-2013 at 06:02 PM

I am afraid you are correct. On the other hand do you think the US Coast Guard would ask for help from the Mexican navy? Even if it would put more resources on the water thereby increasing the odds of success?

desertcpl - 1-19-2013 at 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by weebray
I am afraid you are correct. On the other hand do you think the US Coast Guard would ask for help from the Mexican navy? Even if it would put more resources on the water thereby increasing the odds of success?

if I fully understand what your saying,, the answer is YES

bajaguy - 1-19-2013 at 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by weebray
......On the other hand do you think the US Coast Guard would ask for help from the Mexican navy? Even if it would put more resources on the water thereby increasing the odds of success?

P. U. N. G. D. O. T. S.