BajaNomad

Three Mexican men lost at sea before Christmas

bajachris - 1-5-2014 at 08:54 AM

Three fisherman were lost at sea in their ponga from Santa Rosallita just days before Christmas. One body washed up on shore at Playa Malarrimo, but ponga boat and other men were never found. The Norte winds seem to be picking up randomly day and night, so if an engine fails the wind just drives you out to sea. Very sad.

Prayers for the families.

bacquito - 1-5-2014 at 09:29 AM

Sad Christmas for their families

weebray - 1-5-2014 at 09:30 AM

Our neighbor maintains a panga fleet here in the Sea of Cortez as well as the Pacific. Sadly, last year, he lost at least four pescadores to el mar. We have been able to purchase several "Spots" and those electronic devices hold hope for the future. If you know, of or see for sale, a Spot at a discounted price or donation please pm me. Gracias

BajaBlanca - 1-5-2014 at 11:15 AM

weebray, just brilliant.

Ver sad news indeed

durrelllrobert - 1-5-2014 at 11:21 AM

Remember the Celia Angelina incident out of San Felipe in Oct. 2000?
articles.latimes.com/2000/oct/13/sports/sp-36007‎

Islandbuilder - 1-5-2014 at 01:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Remember the Celia Angelina incident out of San Felipe in Oct. 2000?
articles.latimes.com/2000/oct/13/sports/sp-36007‎


The Mexican government responded to that disaster by re-writing the rules for passenger carrying vessels. Of course they, as governments tend to do, painted with a broad brush when they crafted the new regs. As it stands all vessels older than 20 years old are excluded from commercial operations. That rule is what put the Don Jose in La Paz out of business.

The government acted quickly and decisively to try and stop foreign tourists from dying while on cruises in Mexican waters.

I wonder how fishers would react to the government requiring them to have waterproof SPOT devices? I wonder if the fishing co-ops would be open to mandating that boats delivering to them must meet safety standards that go beyond the federal requirements?

I wonder if concerned ex-pats would be able to jump-start efforts along those lines by donating equipment?

If BajaCactus can get a couple of ambulances donated for his good cause, I wonder if it's possible to get a couple of cases of SPOT transmitters, or flare kits, or PFD's?

[Edited on 1-5-2014 by Islandbuilder]

durrelllrobert - 1-5-2014 at 03:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Islandbuilder
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Remember the Celia Angelina incident out of San Felipe in Oct. 2000?
articles.latimes.com/2000/oct/13/sports/sp-36007‎


The Mexican government responded to that disaster by re-writing the rules for passenger carrying vessels. Of course they, as governments tend to do, painted with a broad brush when they crafted the new regs. As it stands all vessels older than 20 years old are excluded from commercial operations. That rule is what put the Don Jose in La Paz out of business.

The government acted quickly and decisively to try and stop foreign tourists from dying while on cruises in Mexican waters.

I wonder how fishers would react to the government requiring them to have waterproof SPOT devices? I wonder if the fishing co-ops would be open to mandating that boats delivering to them must meet safety standards that go beyond the federal requirements?

I wonder if concerned ex-pats would be able to jump-start efforts along those lines by donating equipment?

If BajaCactus can get a couple of ambulances donated for his good cause, I wonder if it's possible to get a couple of cases of SPOT transmitters, or flare kits, or PFD's?

[Edited on 1-5-2014 by Islandbuilder]
The loss of the 2 Americans and their pangadero had nothing to do with the passenger caring Celia Angelina (except lack of communications).

"The two Southland fishermen and their Mexican skiff captain failed to return to their mother ship in the remote Midriff region of the Sea of Cortez, about 350 miles south of the border and were never found".

today's NY times Magazine article regarding east coast US fisherman lost overboard

Whale-ista - 1-5-2014 at 03:57 PM

Very sad to hear. It is a dangerous life- I watch the pangeros and marvel at their skill and courage as they launch from various beaches. They make it look easy. It's not.

An interesting read on responses when friends, family and Coast Guard are notified of man overboard. Worth a read, if only to appreciate the danger and expertise of those who make a living going to sea. This was in North Atlantic US.

Does US Coast Guard ever respond to MX nationals in need of search/rescue? I believe they patrol the international waters. And do they still interdict MX flagged ships to search for drugs in MX coastal waters?

This happened to some MX national friends, who were offended (to say the least) when threatened with being boarded�and searched offshore MX by USCG patrol. An American passenger talked them down, and prevented the boarding, but it was quite upsetting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/magazine/a-speck-in-the-se...

[Edited on 1-5-2014 by Whale-ista]

Pacifico - 1-5-2014 at 05:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by Islandbuilder
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Remember the Celia Angelina incident out of San Felipe in Oct. 2000?
articles.latimes.com/2000/oct/13/sports/sp-36007‎


The Mexican government responded to that disaster by re-writing the rules for passenger carrying vessels. Of course they, as governments tend to do, painted with a broad brush when they crafted the new regs. As it stands all vessels older than 20 years old are excluded from commercial operations. That rule is what put the Don Jose in La Paz out of business.

The government acted quickly and decisively to try and stop foreign tourists from dying while on cruises in Mexican waters.

I wonder how fishers would react to the government requiring them to have waterproof SPOT devices? I wonder if the fishing co-ops would be open to mandating that boats delivering to them must meet safety standards that go beyond the federal requirements?

I wonder if concerned ex-pats would be able to jump-start efforts along those lines by donating equipment?

If BajaCactus can get a couple of ambulances donated for his good cause, I wonder if it's possible to get a couple of cases of SPOT transmitters, or flare kits, or PFD's?

[Edited on 1-5-2014 by Islandbuilder]
The loss of the 2 Americans and their pangadero had nothing to do with the passenger caring Celia Angelina (except lack of communications).

"The two Southland fishermen and their Mexican skiff captain failed to return to their mother ship in the remote Midriff region of the Sea of Cortez, about 350 miles south of the border and were never found".


The follow up:

http://articles.latimes.com/2000/oct/18/sports/sp-38256

tripledigitken - 1-5-2014 at 05:59 PM

Thanks for posting. Incredible story that is very well written.
Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
Very sad to hear. It is a dangerous life- I watch the pangeros and marvel at their skill and courage as they launch from various beaches. They make it look easy. It's not.

An interesting read on responses when friends, family and Coast Guard are notified of man overboard. Worth a read, if only to appreciate the danger and expertise of those who make a living going to sea. This was in North Atlantic US.

Does US Coast Guard ever respond to MX nationals in need of search/rescue? I believe they patrol the international waters. And do they still interdict MX flagged ships to search for drugs in MX coastal waters?

This happened to some MX national friends, who were offended (to say the least) when threatened with being boarded�and searched offshore MX by USCG patrol. An American passenger talked them down, and prevented the boarding, but it was quite upsetting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/magazine/a-speck-in-the-se...

[Edited on 1-5-2014 by Whale-ista]

bajaguy - 1-5-2014 at 06:27 PM

I like his quote on the last page........

...."I mean, thank God I was saved, yes. Thank God they saved me. There�s no better entity than the U.S. Coast Guard to come save your ass when you�re on the water.......�

The Coasties have saved more people than they have put in jail.
Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
Very sad to hear. It is a dangerous life- I watch the pangeros and marvel at their skill and courage as they launch from various beaches. They make it look easy. It's not.

An interesting read on responses when friends, family and Coast Guard are notified of man overboard. Worth a read, if only to appreciate the danger and expertise of those who make a living going to sea. This was in North Atlantic US.

Does US Coast Guard ever respond to MX nationals in need of search/rescue? I believe they patrol the international waters. And do they still interdict MX flagged ships to search for drugs in MX coastal waters?

This happened to some MX national friends, who were offended (to say the least) when threatened with being boarded�and searched offshore MX by USCG patrol. An American passenger talked them down, and prevented the boarding, but it was quite upsetting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/magazine/a-speck-in-the-se...

[Edited on 1-5-2014 by Whale-ista]

Ateo - 1-5-2014 at 06:41 PM

As someone who worked on a fishing boat in Alaska, I can tell you that humans aren't meant to survive in/on the ocean. The only thing keeping us from sure death is that thing we're standing on (boat). Once that's gone, your odds are low. It wasn't something I thought of much as a 20 year old, but knowing the Coast Guard was there to risk their lives to save ours, felt good.

Sorry for those families in St. Rosalillita.

A dangerous job.

Islandbuilder - 1-6-2014 at 12:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by Islandbuilder
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Remember the Celia Angelina incident out of San Felipe in Oct. 2000?
articles.latimes.com/2000/oct/13/sports/sp-36007‎


The Mexican government responded to that disaster by re-writing the rules for passenger carrying vessels. Of course they, as governments tend to do, painted with a broad brush when they crafted the new regs. As it stands all vessels older than 20 years old are excluded from commercial operations. That rule is what put the Don Jose in La Paz out of business.

The government acted quickly and decisively to try and stop foreign tourists from dying while on cruises in Mexican waters.

I wonder how fishers would react to the government requiring them to have waterproof SPOT devices? I wonder if the fishing co-ops would be open to mandating that boats delivering to them must meet safety standards that go beyond the federal requirements?

I wonder if concerned ex-pats would be able to jump-start efforts along those lines by donating equipment?

If BajaCactus can get a couple of ambulances donated for his good cause, I wonder if it's possible to get a couple of cases of SPOT transmitters, or flare kits, or PFD's?

[Edited on 1-5-2014 by Islandbuilder]
The loss of the 2 Americans and their pangadero had nothing to do with the passenger caring Celia Angelina (except lack of communications).

"The two Southland fishermen and their Mexican skiff captain failed to return to their mother ship in the remote Midriff region of the Sea of Cortez, about 350 miles south of the border and were never found".


You're right, I confused the Celia Angelina with the dive boat that rolled over a few years ago.
The points still apply however, basic safety equipment on board helps, even if it's just a SPOT device.
I fished Alaska 25 years ago, before all of the safety and licensing requirements were put in place aboard US commercial boats, and the boats we ran were way sketchy compared to today's rigs with safety drills and all the gear.
We had 2 survival suits for the 4 of us, and as last guy hired I knew that neither of them were mine.
We can't make the sea safe, but lives can be saved with very little expense.