Hunt is on for capsize victims
Search widens as survivors hold out hope
SAN FELIPE, Mexico – They are fathers, fiances and experienced fishermen.
The seven U.S. tourists still missing two days after their boat capsized off Mexico’s coast went to sea as they had for several years on the U.S. Independence Day holiday: They wanted to fish and have a good time.
At least one American tourist, besides the seven missing, was found dead and identified as Leslie Yee of Ceres, Calif., according to Baja California Gov. Jose Guadalupe Osuna.
On Tuesday, the shipmates who survived the wreck anxiously awaited word as the Mexican navy and the U.S. Coast Guard expanded their search in the Gulf of California, holding out hope that the missing were able to survive in the gulf’s balmy waters.
Mexican navy Capt. Ruben Bustos said they are increasing resources and moving their search area south of Gonzaga Bay, a coastal town south of the port of San Felipe where efforts concentrated Monday.
Rescue teams are also coordinating efforts with officials across the gulf in the northern state of Sonora because shipwreck survivors in the region sometimes are swept far away by fast tides.
“Every hour he’s still missing, hope gets hit with reality,” said Gary Wong, referring to his younger brother, Brian, 54, of Berkeley, Calif., who is among the missing tourists.
Survivor Lee Ikegami had to identify the body of his close friend Yee Monday, just a day after being rescued. Ikegami’s wife, Murphy Ikegami, was told Yee’s body washed up on shore.
Yee retired less than two years ago after working for the San Francisco Chronicle for 37 years, the daily reported on Tuesday. He was 65, the newspaper said.
“Lee’s fine physically,” Murphy Ikegami said. “Mentally, he’s just devastated.”
A sudden storm struck early Sunday, capsizing the 115-foot vessel, the Erik. The crew and the fishermen clung to coolers, rescue rings and life vests for more than 16 hours.
The navy and other fishing boats plucked 19 fishermen and all 16 crew members from the water late Sunday. The vessel sank about 60 miles south of San Felipe.
Sunday was the second day of a weeklong fishing trip the group had organized for several years each Independence Day holiday. They had planned to fish for yellowtail.