Sea Shepherd Rescues Drowning Fisherman in Gulf of California Fleeing Illegal Fishing Activity Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
go to original January 28, 2017

Sea Shepherd Rescues Fisherman in the Gulf of California (Sea Shepherd Conservation Society)

During a night patrol on Wednesday, Sea Shepherd vessel M/V Farley Mowat spotted a panga boat with four men fishing illegally in Mexico’s Gulf of California at 9:16 p.m.

When the Farley Mowat shone a searchlight on the panga to identify the vessel, the fishermen immediately fled at a speed of over 30 knots. The Farley Mowat kept the spotlight on the panga but did not pursue it.

According to Sea Shepherd crew, the panga stopped suddenly in the distance. A big splash behind the panga was seen although the crew was not able to identify what occurred.  When the anti-poaching vessel slowly approached the motorized watercraft to see if assistance was needed, one man from the panga was overboard in the water.

The Farley Mowat tossed him two life rings and notified its nearby fleet member, M/V Sam Simon, of the rescue. When the man was unable to climb the pilot ladder to get on board the Farley Mowat, the ship deployed a crane to lift the fisherman on deck. Farley Mowat’s medical officer began providing assistance.

The two remaining fishermen on the panga informed Sea Shepherd that one other member of their group had also gone overboard but was nowhere to be found.  The rescued fisherman on board the Farley Mowat confirmed the information.

The Farley Mowat contacted the Mexican Navy to request a search and rescue team. The Navy arrived on the scene at 10:07 p.m. The rescued fisherman was transferred over to them and the Farley Mowat and Sam Simon teamed with the Mexican Navy to search the waters for the missing man.

...The Farley Mowat and the M/V Sam Simon are currently in the Gulf of California as part of Operation Milagro III to stop the imminent extinction of the endangered vaquita porpoise. Both ships are protecting the vaquita refuge and patrolling for poachers among other duties.

Read the rest at SeaShepherd.org

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