(BDCi) — A man died after a fishing boat overturned while carrying 27 Americans and 17 crew members in the Gulf of Mexico. Officials say eight people are still missing.
The 105-foot long charter vessel “Erik” capsized off Baja California when a storm hit, throwing passengers into the water off San Luis Island. Some passengers with life jackets swam for miles before they were rescued.
Two of them, a married couple, stayed afloat for 12 hours before reaching the shore. Coast Guard Petty Officer Pamela Boehland says another survivor was able to swim ashore to alert Mexican officials.
Boehland also stated that the Mexican Navy informed the Coast Guard that most tourists on the boat were from Northern California.
The fishing trip was scheduled for Saturday through Thursday in the Midriff Islands, a well known place for fishing in the Gulf of California.
According to officials, rescue operations are still underway in search of more survivors. Meanwhile, the Mexican Naval crew has been joined by local fishing boats and a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jay hawk helicopter from San Diego to complete the mission. Representatives of the boat company have been reached but are currently not available for further comments.
By: Shayla Selva July 5, 2011 Source: Los Angeles Times
2:05 p.m. PDT