Mexican Navy launches search for missing vessels carrying aid to Cuba
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The Mexican Navy, acting as the Coast Guard, activated Plan Marina this Thursday to deploy search and rescue operations to locate two sailboats with nine crew members of different nationalities. The vessels departed Mexico on March 20th bound for Cuba, carrying humanitarian aid, and there is currently no information or confirmation of their arrival.
“According to available information, these vessels were scheduled to arrive between March 24th and 25th of this year. Therefore, the corresponding protocols were immediately activated, in compliance with the Mexican State’s responsibility to safeguard human life at sea,” the Mexican government stated in a press release.
Authorities detailed that the Naval Commands of the Fifth Naval Region and the Ninth Naval Zone, based in Isla Mujeres and Yucalpetén, as well as the Naval Search, Rescue, and Maritime Surveillance Stations (ENSAR) of those commands, were alerted. Notices were also issued to the maritime community.
Constant communication is being maintained with shipping agencies and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCCs) in Poland, France, Cuba, and the United States, as well as with diplomatic missions of the countries of origin of the people on board.
Surface and air units have been deployed along the estimated route between Isla Mujeres and Havana, in addition to carrying out continuous monitoring, with the objective of increasing the probability of locating the vessels.
The Secretariat of the Navy has called on the national and international maritime community, “including commercial, fishing, recreational vessels and platforms” operating in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico to, “in case of having information or sighting of the aforementioned vessels, report it immediately to the nearest naval authorities.” (Taken from RHC)
