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Search Halted for 3 Americans Missing Off the Mexican Coast

Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross, who were sailing aboard the Ocean Bound, were last heard from near Mazatlán, Mexico, on April 4.

By Johnny Diaz

The search for three Americans who were reported missing two weeks ago, after sailing off the coast of Mexico to California, has been called off, the authorities in both countries said.

The U.S. Coast Guard in Alameda, Calif., said on Wednesday that the Mexican Navy, known as SEMAR, had informed the agency that it had suspended its search for the three people after an effort of a cumulative 281 hours covering just over 200,000 square nautical miles.

The missing people, a woman and two men identified as Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross, were sailing aboard the Ocean Bound, a 44-foot La Fitte sailboat. They were last heard from on April 4, when they were near Mazatlán, Mexico, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The three travelers had left Mazatlán on their way to San Diego, and they were scheduled to stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on April 6 to resupply the boat with provisions, according to the Coast Guard.

“However, they did not report in or arrive in Cabo San Lucas,” the Coast Guard said.

On Saturday, the Coast Guard shared information and photos of the missing sailors and the vessel.

The Coast Guard said that the search encompassed “an area larger than the state of California” off Mexico’s northern Pacific Coast, but that there were no signs of the missing boat or its passengers. The Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy worked together in coordinating and conducting the search.

As part of the effort, marine broadcasts were dispatched over VHF radio, but they did not yield any clues about the location of the missing travelers.

“An exhaustive search was conducted by our international search-and-rescue partner, Mexico, with the U.S. Coast Guard and Canada providing additional search assets,” Cmdr. Gregory Higgins, command center chief of Coast Guard District 11, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, we found no evidence of the three Americans’ whereabouts or what might have happened.”

He added that “our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends” of the three sailors.

After the suspension of the search, Heather Alcazar, one of Mr. Gross’s daughters, said on Thursday that “although this was devastating news for our families, we support the decision of SEMAR and the U.S.C.G.”

Ms. Alcazar said her father, 71, is a San Diego resident.

“Knowing that our family members have been part of a multinational search is not something we take for granted,” Ms. Alcazar said. “It shows the kind of commitment and cooperation we will all praise in the years to come.”

“Ocean Bound and her crew are missing,” she added, “but they will not be forgotten.”

Ms. O’Brien’s mother, Ellen Argall, said on Friday that her daughter, who is 52, and Frank O’Brien have been married for 18 years, and that both are licensed boat captains who have sailed for nearly 20 years. The couple , who live in Girdwood, Alaska, had invited their friend Mr. Gross to join them on the trip, Ms. Argall said.

“I was devastated but I understand,” she said of the suspension of the search. “I still have a glimmer of hope. I am not going to lose my little glimmer of hope.”

Johnny Diaz is a general assignment reporter covering breaking news. He previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and The Boston Globe. More about Johnny Diaz

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3 american sailors missing off the coast of mexico.

They haven't been heard from since April 4.

The Mexican Navy and United States Coast Guard are searching for three missing American sailors who have not been seen since April 4.

According to the Coast Guard , Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross were sailing onboard the “Ocean Bound,” a 44-foot LaFitte sailboat. They were last heard from on April 4 when they departed Mazatlán, Mexico -- a resort town in Sinaloa.

The trio of Americans were sailing to San Diego with a planned stop in Cabo San Lucas, where they would pick up additional supplies on April 6 but the Coast Guard said there is no record of the group arriving in Cabo San Lucas or providing any report of their location. Additionally, marinas in Baja, Mexico, have yet to see the vessel or sailors.

The trip from Mazatlán to Cabo San Lucas requires an over 200-mile sail across the southern Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez.

The Mexican Navy is now searching for the missing sailors with assistance from the Coast Guard, asking any mariner to look for the missing vessel.

“Search and rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja, Mexico, with negative sightings of the vessel,” the Coast Guard said. “Urgent marine information broadcasts have been issued over VHF radio requesting all mariners to keep a lookout for the missing persons and vessel.”

The three sailors were traveling on a 44-foot sailboat designed by Robert H. Perry Yacht Designers , equipped with a single mast for sailing and an auxiliary motor. According to Cruising World , the LaFitte 44 is a formidable ocean sailboat, with multiple owners circumnavigating the world with the boat.

ABC News' Izzy Alvarez contributed to this report.

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Mexico ends search for missing Americans, Coast Guard says

This photo provided by the U.S Coast Guard on April 14, 2023, shows the 44-foot (13.5 meter) sailing vessel “Ocean Bound.” Three Americans, Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross, were aboard the boat and have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlan, Mexico, according to the Coast Guard. The Mexican Navy says it is using ships and a plane to search for the three who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast. (Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard via AP)

This photo provided by the U.S Coast Guard on April 14, 2023, shows missing Americans Frank O’Brien, left, and Kerry O’Brien. The two Americans, joined by William Gross, were aboard the 44-foot (13.5 meter) sailing vessel “Ocean Bound,” and have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlan, Mexico, according to the Coast Guard. The Mexican Navy says it is using ships and a plane to search for the three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast. (Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard via AP)

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MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s navy has suspended a search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast, the U.S Coast Guard said Wednesday.

A Coast Guard statement said that Mexican forces and U.S. assets had searched about 200,000 square nautical miles, an area larger than California, and had found no sign of the missing people or the boat.

The three Americans — Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross — were aboard the 44-foot (13.5 meter) sailing vessel “Ocean Bound” when they were last heard from on April 4, officials have said.

They reported being near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlán, Mexico, at the time. The three had planned to stop for supplies in Cabo San Lucas aat the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsual before proceeding to San Diego.

The Coast Guard has said marinas in Baja California had not reported seeing the vessel.

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Open For Discussion - S/V Ocean Bound lost off Mazatlan, Mexico 4/4/2023

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SV Ocean Bound Overdue Mexico to San Diego, CA | Boat Watch, International search aid for missing & overdue boats.

Three ‘experienced’ American sailors disappear while cruising Mexico shore

"Winds potentially over 30 knots and seas 15 to 20, maybe more, feet at the time of their voyage,”  

I did that on a Lafitte 44 and it wasn’t remarkable. Something must have gone wrong.  

Following, with hope. The report did not state direction of the wind. While that much is never welcome, the relative direction, obviously, means a lot. Sooo many question.  

Update 4/16/2023 from melissa spicuzza Ocean Bound and her crew have not been located. USCG have ended their search flights of the area. They do have a ship returning to Southern California from Cabo that is searching. The USCG forensics for cell phones, GSP for apps they may be using, etc. Have not produced any results. The Mexican Navy continues to search, using the drift projections. However, they will be scaling back operations. What we do know. There is almost 100 years of combined sailing experience on Ocean Bound. Bill is a mechanic by trade and can fix just about anything. Kerry and Frank are tough folks. The hope is that they are just cruising along, heading back to San Diego, and that they will roll in tired and saying we overreacted. Probably a bit embarrassed, too, from all the attention. Both families have been speaking with multiple news agencies to get the word out to as many people as we can. However, we are all emotionally exhausted. Personally, I don't think I can talk to anymore news people. We have received a massive out pouring of love, prayers, and good vibes. Keep them coming! The sailing/boating community is a tight knit group that always looks out for each other, and we are so grateful for each and everyone of you! I have talked to people all over the US and Mexico. They are all on the lookout for Ocean Bound.  

Did they have EPIRB or raft?  

sorry for posting 2 times in a row. all our armchair captaining is fine BUT does not help find my friends. please keep eyes open if you are in our general part of pacific ocean. 3 or so weeks ago we hear of a boat hit by whale and sunk ..was kp 44. gone in 15 minutes. there was a supposed mayday just after these left mazatlan. not recorded by rescate. only heard by people standing onthe dock the boat departed. they are using iphones for nav. there have been no pings since april for any of the three fones. frankie was due at work today. guess what--he will be late for work. that, and their 2 cats in alaska were their reasons to flee mazatlan without worry about weather which wasnot conducive to departure and for not provisioning or fueling before leaving.. not cool, i know, but it is what itis. their galley didnot work, so forget the propane explosion theory. we are all going outof our minds with worry on these three. there are over 100 yrs of experience on board that lafitte 44. kerry and frankie always contact me for weather before doing anything, but not this time. they knew i would give lecture. they shoulda stayed for that damned lecture. we have been friends many years. they followed me to mazatlan. i never met bill. i am in contact with his daughter who is the contact now for mex navy, mex consulate and uscg. this is as if aliens abducted em and their boat. no pings no slick no debris no nada. nothing whatsoever.  

zeehag said: Not provisioning or fueling before leaving.. not cool, i know, but it is what itis. their galley didnot work, so forget the propane explosion theory. Click to expand...

Urgent search for 3 Americans missing on boating trip

Do I understand correctly that the boat hasn’t moved in four years and they just left, no provisions, little fuel?  

you got it toyota  

Very, very sad. When a boat has sat in a marina à long time, then not refused, then shaken in large waves, the sediment in the tank can be a larger part of the remaking fuel. This more easily blocks intakes and filters... At a time irs needed most. I feel whales are not the problem, here. After 2 weeks it's apparent that families will be devestated. Thanks for explaining that. All the best, Zee. Mark  

MarkofSeaLife said: Very, very sad. When a boat has sat in a marina à long time, then not refused, then shaken in large waves, the sediment in the tank can be a larger part of the remaking fuel. This more easily blocks intakes and filters... At a time irs needed most. I feel whales are not the problem, here. After 2 weeks it's apparent that families will be devestated. Thanks for explaining that. All the best, Zee. Mark Click to expand...

at least i have fuel food and a mechanic and a tracker on board when i take off like an idjit...and i know my weather.... gods bless em and i hope ...  

All good wishes to them and you. I know you feel deeply for them. Yet there is little to nothing you could have done, they are adults and made adult decisions for their own needs. All we can do is watch and pray and remember and, perhaps, use this story to educate others if and when the need arises. Peace on your soul.  

I can think of no boat, perhaps with the exception of something that says “NAVY” I’d take in 5meter 3sec period. The Lafitte 44 is a robust boat, but wouldn’t take that for long. Two consecutive waves on the beam could easily roll it, leaving no time for Epirb or raft. On the nose the rig would be slammed and shaking; aged and uninspected, I’d not be surprised if it came down. There is sadly nothing we can do from afar.  

OntarioTheLake said: There is sadly nothing we can do from afar. Click to expand...

this one is a tough one. i am not official in any way shape or form but the network we cruisers build includes those who are salvors and rescuers and tuna fishers and shrimpers and others with skillzz we have been denied in favor of the skillz we possess. i have been able to semi isolate my feelings away from the fact of searching but that isn ot working well. we are all feeling the hit and feeling it hard. someone pasted the ocean bound picture on the chilean catalina 30 story and circulated it as ob being found by atuneros.. it took a few fone calls and much back and forth to sort. family used uscg for this i called a friend who was underwater welder for tuna fleet who was able to tell me within 15 min the reality. uscg took 1.5 days to sort it. networks are very helpful tools. make yours a functional and worthy one. you never know who will be of most assistance in a big pinch.  

I have changed the thread title to show this thread is open for general discussion so we may learn from this experience. Please note we have a forum member who is good friends with at least one of those lost. So though its appropriate to be respectful, its also vital we learn too. Some of these threads can turn to wild speculation, but previous disasters we have subsequently found out that the wild speculation was indeed correct. Mark  

first lets rule out piracy which some blatherhead in fb has argued with another friend.. there are no pirates here. our shrimpers help folks not hurt folks. and lets bring up the 20 ft seas uscg has mentioned as being real. but here with 20 ft seas there is short interval, like under 8 seconds, and more like 3 to 5 seconds. is wicked when there is a front coming thru. yes 2 had 6pak licensces i am not sure what kinda license was in bills resume. i sailed south surfing 20 plus ft quartering seas but the intervals were reasonable like more than 12 seconds. we were comfortable. soc is speshull with intervals worse than maytag or whirlpool. yes they didnot think before leaving but they did--they thought about provisioning and fuel in cabo. they thought to bring mechanic. that was a sound idea with the boat having sat for a few years without moving. so. what are your ideas on why and how they disappeared without traces.  

zeehag said: . so. what are your ideas on why and how they disappeared without traces. Click to expand...

one source said the intervals and seas could wellhave destroyed boat by rollover too rapid to save anything or anyone and the seas could well have destroyed boat even a sturdy one. is a possibility. we are all befuddled by this, and we are all still hoping they show up...but, reality dictates open mind and all possibilities are open. we have known of many whale strikes in soc and pacific. we have no idea. was sudden and fast, whatever it was.  

Zee, You seem to have more info than any of us. Was this Bad Weather, Bad Seas, predicted? I mean it was what a 2 day sail under the right conditions. Stating the obvious here, No Job is worth heading out in the conditions you describe. So, now they're out there. I heard they had an Epirb, but we don't know if it had been maintained, was auto release or hydrostatic. etc. Assuming that once they found themselves in the ****, they had Lifejackets on and a tether. In a sudden sinking, you need to be able to release or cut the tether. You need to be conscience. If they managed to get in the water they're a much smaller target than a ship to locate. My take away, or rather reminders, besides the obvious, stay in port. Have Reliable long range communications, cell phones just don't cut it. Have PLB and Radio attached to your modern vest. Have an easy to release tether, and or carry a good knife, Maybe Hook a bottle of water on your belt.  

tempest said: Zee, You seem to have more info than any of us. Was this Bad Weather, Bad Seas, predicted? I mean it was what a 2 day sail under the right conditions. Stating the obvious here, No Job is worth heading out in the conditions you describe. So, now they're out there. I heard they had an Epirb, but we don't know if it had been maintained, was auto release or hydrostatic. etc. Assuming that once they found themselves in the ****, they had Lifejackets on and a tether. In a sudden sinking, you need to be able to release or cut the tether. You need to be conscience. If they managed to get in the water they're a much smaller target than a ship to locate. My take away, or rather reminders, besides the obvious, stay in port. Have Reliable long range communications, cell phones just don't cut it. Have PLB and Radio attached to your modern vest. Have an easy to release tether, and or carry a good knife, Maybe Hook a bottle of water on your belt. Click to expand...

Several months or so after the big (wood) schooner Nina disappeared in the Tasman Sea , some forums were still discussing the possibility that they could be mastless and/or under jury rig headed for Oz or NZ. As my early offshore sailing days were done on similarly built wooden vessels before the USCG's "Get out of trouble free" card was available or well beyond any help of any kind, fashioning jury rigs was a necessary skill. I thought it impossible that the crew of the schooner were still alive, so I got weather and current charts for the area and ran the numbers. Even against an unfavorable current and winds they should have made landfall in Oz before then. I thought it quite cruel for so many folks to be giving the family hope at that point, so I put together all the info available to me posted it. Since I had no info that was positive, I tried very gently to forward my hypothesis about what probably had happened. This was a pretty big wooden schooner and with a very experienced owner/captain and it was extremely unlikely the vessel sank slowly, as no debris or life jackets were found during the search. The weather wasn't good, but it rarely is in that area, so one would think that the captain would certainly have had her reefed down and sailing under control. Just about the only thing that would sink a well found wooden vessel sailed properly in those conditions, so quickly that no message or safety gear could be launched, would have been a sprung plank. But in this case in Mexico, I cannot come up with any good reason why a (well built?) fiberglass boat, sailed by such a seasoned crew, could have disappeared without a trace. Especially in such heavily traveled waters. I can't think of a single thing other than hitting a container at speed, which might not have been possible in those conditions, or run down by a ship. But unlike the vessel above, there is a chance of survivors, still. There have been several cases of Central American fishermen who have survived for half a year or more, drifting west. Let us keep up hope for a good outcome to this mystery.  

capta said: . I can't think of a single thing other than hitting a container at speed, which might not have been possible in those conditions, or run down by a ship. Click to expand...

Wave heights describe the average height of the highest third of the waves (defined as the significant wave height – see diagram below). It is measured by the height difference between the wave crest and the preceding wave trough. The Bureau of Meteorology does not forecast maximum wave heights in routine forecasts. Statistically it is estimated that about one in every 2000 to 3000 waves (three to four times a day) will be approximately twice the height of the total wave height. Click to expand...

i was just advised by mom of kerry obrien the searchhas been called off.  

Zee, I don't know if this question will help anyone, or inform anyone but it bugs me. First I just want to understand the situation correctly, this is what I think I know mostly from your posts but also elsewhere. Assumptions A the couple owned the boat B the couple were on a schedule back to work, etc. C the single man was crew D the single mans wife was to meet him in Cabo E the couple had been looking for crew for a few weeks Q1 If that is the case why were they not spending this time to get the boat in better shape? Fix the galley, etc? Q2 Did they not even take a test sail of an hour or so to assure sheaves were not seized and hoses not rotted? Q3 They had an EPIRB, but was it ancient or with good batteries? Q4 What was the compelling reason that forced them out in such conditions in a neglected boat? Thanks for your input and patience, it is a very troubling story in so many ways.  

hpeer said: Zee, I don't know if this question will help anyone, or inform anyone but it bugs me. First I just want to understand the situation correctly, this is what I think I know mostly from your posts but also elsewhere. Assumptions A the couple owned the boat...., yes B the couple were on a schedule back to work, etc. ... yes C the single man was crew.. yes.i didnot know him D the single mans wife was to meet him in Cabo. he was going to meet someone there, ys E the couple had been looking for crew for a few weeks... they didnot tellme , when thye cameback thgey were leaving already. rent was raised inmarinamazatlanandmany fled Q1 If that is the case why were they not spending this time to get the boat in better shape? Fix the galley, etc?-- good question, Q2 Did they not even take a test sail of an hour or so to assure sheaves were not seized and hoses not rotted?..nope Q3 They had an EPIRB, but was it ancient or with good batteries?-- another good question Q4 What was the compelling reason that forced them out in such conditions in a neglected boat?-- need to get back to cats in ak and frankie needed to get to work in ak. and i am not in marina anymore. they followed me down her eand i saiod to them they shouldnot have., but that was a few years ago Thanks for your input and patience, it is a very troubling story in so many ways. yes.heartbreaking and very troubling Click to expand...

So far I’ve read a whole list of never do actions, which presumably they all knew better. Not one thing, a lot of them. Truly, I cannot think of anything shy of fleeing a murder rap that would induce anyone to depart in that situation.  

That is mostly what I have "learned". I have talked myself into leaving in not the best conditions, but this case sounds insane and then has boat and provisions issues throw in on top. For a crew person without a schedule issue to have gone along is just WOW. I hope it all works out well somehow.  

Weather forecast for Cabo Airport April 3,4,5  

Seems fine. What about at Mazatlan?  

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Americans hijacked by escaped prisoners likely thrown off yacht. Here's what we know

Owners of the catamaran remain missing and are presumed dead after abandoned boat found covered in blood.

An American couple who spent winters at a Florida marina have disappeared and are presumed dead after their catamaran was found abandoned and covered in blood in St. Vincent.

Ralph Hendry and his wife, Kathy Brandel, were last known to be near Grand Anse Beach, Grenada.

Both Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are listed under a Level 1 travel advisory, according to the U.S. State Department.

A Level 1 travel advisory urges U.S. citizens to take normal precautions in the area.

Other Caribbean islands are more dangerous , with Level 2 and 3 advisories in effect for the Bahamas and Jamaica , respectively.

Here's what we know so far as the investigation continues.

3 prisoners escaped from South St. George Police Station

Don McKenzie, Commissioner of Police for the Royal Grenada Police Force, said during a news conference Feb. 26, three prisoners escaped from the South St. George Police Station on Feb. 18.

The next day, they "commandeered" the yacht Simplicity, which had two occupants on board, Hendry, 66, and his wife, Kathy Brandel, 71. Both are U.S. citizens.

Information suggests the escaped prisoners "disposed" of Hendry and Brandel. The couple were were likely thrown into the ocean and died, police in Grenada said Monday.

“We have nothing conclusive to say that the individuals are dead," McKenzie said. "We still hold out hope that in spite (of) what might be a low probability, that they would turn up alive somewhere.”

The yacht then headed to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where the escaped prisoners were captured on Feb. 21.

Who were the escaped prisoners and what had they been charged with?

According to the Royal Grenada Police Force, the escaped prisoners were:

• Ron Mitchell, 30,
• Trevon Robertson, 19
• Abita Stanislaus, 25.

All three had been charged with one count of robbery with violence.

Mitchell also had been charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of indecent assault and causing harm.

Yacht discovered by paddle-boarder near St. Vincent

A sailing captain was paddle-boarding near Saint Vincent when he noticed the yacht with a broken sail, according to People .

When he boarded the Simplicity, he found the deck covered in blood . He also found two passports belonging to Brandel and Hendry, People said.

In an email to an address he found onboard, he told the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, “The ship inside is very messy. “Can you contact them?”

"The good Samaritan contacted the St. Vincent coast guard alerting them of the situation; they in turn notified the local police. The Coast Guard took possession of Simplicity," the Salty Dawg Sailing Association posted on its Facebook page.

Salty Dawg mourns couple's disappearance

On its Facebook page Feb. 24, the Salty Dawg Sailing Association announced, "The Salty Dawg family mourns the disappearance of two of our long term members, Ralph and Kathy of Simplicity. Their family has issued a statement and wish to get the word out as broadly as possible."

Both Brandel and Hendry are veteran cruisers and long-time members of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association from its earliest days.

"Warm hearted and capable, they both contributed to building the SDSA and Kathy sat on the association’s board for two years," the organization said.

Salty Dawg live tracking map showed final anchorage for Simplicity

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association "has a live member’s tracking map where boats can be followed as they cruise and Simplicity’s track shows that Kathy and Ralph were anchored in Grenada and then the boat moved directly to its last anchorage off St. Vincent," the organization said.

'They were the sweetest people': Friend describes meeting couple at Fort Pierce marina

The couple previously had docked their catamaran at the Safe Harbor Harbortown Marina in Fort Pierce.

"They were the sweetest people," Keith Mallamo said in an email to TCPalm. Mallamo said he was friends with the couple when they docked their vessels at the marina in Fort Pierce.

One Christmas, Brandel baked cookies for everyone on the dock, and Hendry was always available to help his fellow sailors, Mallamo said.

Family issues statement

The following statement from Bryan Hendry and Nick Buro was posted on Salty Dawg's Facebook page:

"We want to reach out to the entire cruiser community to express our gratitude for everyone that worked to gather information from eyewitnesses and provide search and rescue support.

"It means so much to us that so many people cared for Ralph and Kathy as friends and fellow cruisers that they are willing to stop and help in whatever way possible.

"Thanks to all this input from this community we are able to develop a timeline of events. For the safety of the cruising community we are asking all cruisers, and anyone that is not affiliated with the officials with presiding jurisdiction, to stand down. The only way we feel this situation could be worse would be if anyone was hurt or endangered trying to conduct searches.

"We also want to applaud the St. Vincent authorities for their quick actions in securing Simplicity and their brave, swift response that led to the apprehension of three dangerous fugitives. We greatly appreciate the coordination of the St. Vincent and Royal Grenadian Police forces and Coast Guards in investigating these events."

GoFundMe page set up for Kathy Brandel, Ralph Hendry after 'heartbreaking tragedy'

A GoFundMe page was set up for Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry.

"The funds raised will go towards recovering the vessel and belongings, covering funeral costs, and providing support to the grieving families as they try to comprehend the depth of this tragedy," according to the page set up by Jessica Mause on behalf of Nick Buro, Kathy Brandel's son, and Ralph's son, Bryan Hendry.

"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the senseless act of violence that tragically claimed the lives of husband and wife, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel.

"Kathy and Ralph were seasoned sailors who lived on their beloved catamaran, Simplicity. Their lives ended in unimaginable tragedy on Sunday, February 19th, off the shores of Grand Anse Beach, Grenada.

"Kathy and Ralph, experienced adventurers, spent their retirement sailing aboard Simplicity, spending summers in New England and embracing the warmth of Caribbean winters. Their final voyage with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association crew took an unthinkable turn as Simplicity was found abandoned in St. Vincent, bearing chilling evidence of a violent struggle.

"This heartbreaking tragedy has left not only the sailing community, but also their families, shattered." The GoFundMe page added Kathy Brandel had recently welcomed her first grandchild.

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Mexico ends search for missing americans and their sailboat, u.s. coast guard says.

Mexican forces and U.S. assets have found no signs of the missing people or the boat

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Mexico's navy has suspended a search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico's northern Pacific coast, the U.S Coast Guard said Wednesday.

A Coast Guard statement said that Mexican forces and U.S. assets had searched about 200,000 square nautical miles, an area larger than California, and had found no sign of the missing people or the boat.

The three Americans — Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross — were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel "Ocean Bound" when they were last heard from on April 4, officials have said.

They reported being near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlán, Mexico, at the time. The three had planned to stop for supplies in Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula before proceeding to San Diego.

The Coast Guard has said marinas in Baja California had not reported seeing the vessel.

3 Americans and Their Sailboat Have Vanished Between Mazatlan and San Diego

Two American sailors (pictured) are missing along with a third, and their boat, the “Ocean Bound.” Photos: courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

Three American sailors bound for San Diego have disappeared off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

The Mexican Navy and U.S. Coast Guard undertook a joint search effort when the three individuals failed to arrive for a scheduled supply stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6. They’d last been heard from on April 4, the Coast Guard reported , as they sailed their 44-foot vessel Ocean Bound near Mazatlan, Mexico.

But two days later, they’d not only missed their port visit to Cabo San Lucas, but also gone radio silent.

Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien, and William Gross were the crew of the 44-foot yacht. The vessel’s last known whereabouts placed it departing from Mazatlan, the Coast Guard reported. Since then, it said, search and rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja California “with negative sightings of the vessel.”

According to a Facebook post by Kerry’s brother, Mark Argall , “cell phone pings on 4/4/2023 show off the coast of Mazatlan as calls to marinas in Cabo San Lucas. All calls were short and it’s presumed they were trying to make slip/ball reservations.” The calls did not go through, however.

Now, the Coast Guard and Mexican Navy are searching the coastline and Pacific Ocean for any sign of the sailors or the yacht. ABC identified the boat as a Lafitte, designed by Robert H. Perry Yacht Designers. The single-mast ships with their auxiliary motors are powerful and proven ocean-goers, according to Cruising World .

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the three sailors of the Ocean Bound should contact the U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue coordination center at 510-437-3701.

Updates are available via the Coast Guard’s Twitter or Facebook accounts.

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Search underway for 3 Americans who were to sail from Mexico more than a week ago

SAN DIEGO — A search is underway after three Americans who were to set sail for the U.S. from Mazatlán, Mexico, and haven't been seen or heard from in more than 10 days.

Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross reportedly left April 4, and intended to make a provisions stop in Cabo San Lucas, roughly 200 nautical miles across the Sea of Cortez, on April 6 before heading to San Diego, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

"However, there was no record of them arriving in Cabo San Lucas or a report in of their location," the Coast Guard said in a statement Friday.

Gross' daughter, Melissa Spicuzza, said the O'Briens invited her father to sail with them and he jumped at the chance because he loves being on the water, according to NBC San Diego. She said her father lives on a boat on San Diego Bay.

Each missing American, Spicuzza said, has decades of sailing experience, and the O'Briens have Coast Guard captain's licenses, required for voyages with paying passengers.

"I'm just wanting my dad, my dad and the O’Briens, to roll back in and say, ‘What’s going on guys?'” she told the station.

The Mexican navy was leading the search for the three, and the Coast Guard was helping, the U.S. military branch said.

Searchers have contacted marinas in Baja, Mexico, but no one has reported seeing the trio's boat, a LaFitte model 44 sailing yacht, the Coast Guard said.

Urgent marine broadcasts via VHF radio have so far turned up no reports of the sailors or the 44-foot vessel, the Ocean Bound, it said.

The model was sold in the 1970s and 1980s by LaFitte Yachts Inc. of Newport Beach. The company said it was conceived by noted yacht designer Robert Perry as "the ultimate cruising yacht hull," according to marketing material from the time.

The National Weather Service reported that seas along the Baja coast Saturday included waves as high as 10 feet.

Anyone with information on the trio's whereabouts or that of the vessel is asked to contact the Coast Guard.

Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 

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Mexico searches for 3 missing us sailors with plane, ships.

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The Mexican Navy said Monday it is using ships and a plane to search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico's northern Pacific coast.

The Navy said it is using four patrol boats and a twin-engine prop airplane to search the area, but apparently no sign of the missing people has turned up yet.

The three Americans were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel "Ocean Bound."

The U.S. Coast Guard gave their names as Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien, and William Gross.

They have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlán, Mexico. The three had planned to stop for supplies in the Baja town of Cabo San Lucas, before proceeding to San Diego.

However, the Coast Guard said marinas in Baja, California have not reported seeing the vessel.

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US, Mexican officials search for 3 American sailors last heard from 11 days ago

The US Coast Guard is assisting Mexican navy crews in the search for three American sailors, last heard from on April 4 near Mazatlán, Mexico, according to a Coast Guard news release.

Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross are all "experienced sailors," according to a joint statement from their families. They were aboard the Ocean Bound, a 44-foot La Fitte sailing vessel, when they left the Mexican city of Mazatlán en route to San Diego, the Coast Guard said.

"The sailors planned to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6 for provisions and to report in before continuing on to San Diego," the news release said.

"However, there was no record of them arriving in Cabo San Lucas or a report in of their location."

Rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja, Mexico, but there have been no sightings of the vessel, the news release said.

"Urgent marine information broadcasts have been issued over VHF radio requesting all mariners to keep a lookout for the missing persons and vessel," the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard officials urge anyone with information on the sailors or the sailing vessel to call the Coast Guard search and rescue coordination center at 510-437-3701.

Weather 'not optimal' for that type of trip

Cmdr. Greg Higgins, search mission coordinator for the US Coast Guard, said the weather was less than ideal when the trio set out.

"When they began their voyage we know that the conditions were not optimal for that type of trip, though certainly, there were sailing vessels out there during that time. Winds potentially over 30 knots and seas 15 to 20, maybe more, feet at the time of their voyage," Higgins told CNN's Fredricka Whitfield Saturday.

"It's a long trip for even in good conditions, from Mazatlán to Cabo. That's two days, and certainly on to San Diego, which was their eventual destination. And since then it has improved marginally," he added.

Higgins said he hopes to gather information from witnesses who might have seen the sailors who went missing.

"The Mexican Navy, now based in La Paz, Mexico, has the lead for search efforts, so there are numerous Mexican naval search and rescue assets that are working the case," Higgins said. "For our portion, to support the excellent partnership that we have with Mexico and the Mexican Navy.

"We've conducted search planning, so we're using computer search tools to identify where the vessel may be based on environmental conditions, winds, and currents, where it may have drifted if they became distressed, as well as Coast Guard aircraft, searching with the permission of Mexico, and Coast Guard cutters searching as well," Higgins said.

Missing Americans are 'experienced sailors,' families say

The three Americans "are all experienced sailors," according to a joint statement from their families.

"Bill has over 50 years of sailing experience and is an extremely talented coastal cruiser. Kerry and Frank have 20 years sailing together and both hold captains licenses with the US Coast Guard," according to the statement.

Ocean Bound, described as "a sturdy older vessel," departed Mazatlán on April 4 at about 9:30 a.m. local time. It headed "across the Sea of Cortez, a short stop had been planned in Cabo San Lucas and then to sail up the coast of Baja to San Diego," the statement said. When they didn't check in by the weekend, the Coast Guard was notified.

"Cell phone pings on 4/4/2023 show off the coast of Mazatlan as calls to marinas in Cabo San Lucas," according to the families.

Their families presume they were trying to make slip reservations at the marina. But, because all the calls made were so short, it's believed the attempts to reach someone were unsuccessful, said the statement. That calls are the last known contact with the Ocean Bound.

According to family, the Coast Guard "has a current 'travel projection' if Ocean Bound simply lost radio contact and continued her journey to San Diego at just North or South of Turtle Bay (Bahia Tortugas) on the Baja Peninsula and is focused on searching there, in addition to long aircraft sweeps along the Baja Peninsula."

The parameters are reassessed each night to redefine the search the next day, according to the statement.

"The sailing community has hundreds of additional vessels looking for our family members," said the joint statement.

The families thanked the Mexican Navy and US Coast Guard for their search and rescue operations.

"They have communicated all of their efforts with kindness and compassion more than once a day," said the statement.

The CNN Wire ™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Mexico suspends search for missing Americans whose 44-foot sailboat vanished

MEXICO CITY — Mexico's navy has suspended a search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast, the U.S Coast Guard said Wednesday.

A Coast Guard statement said that Mexican forces and U.S. assets had searched about 200,000 square nautical miles, an area larger than California, and had found no sign of the missing people or the boat.

The three Americans — Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross — were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel “Ocean Bound” when they were last heard from on April 4, officials have said.

They reported being near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlán, Mexico, at the time. The three had planned to stop for supplies in Cabo San Lucas aat the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsual before proceeding to San Diego.

The Coast Guard has said marinas in Baja California had not reported seeing the vessel.

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Coast Guard, Mexico searching for 3 Americans missing at sea

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for three American sailors who have been missing for nearly two weeks, last heard from near the Mexican city of Mazatlán.

The Coast Guard is assisting the Mexican Navy’s search for Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien, and William Gross, who reportedly left Mazatlán on their boat April 4 and were never heard from again, according to a press release.

READ MORE: 2 American minors missing in Mexico

The three were sailing a 44-foot Lafitte boat called “Ocean Bound,” the press release stated.

The Americans planned to stop for provisions April 6 in Cabo San Lucas before continuing to San Diego. But there is no record of them arriving in Cabo San Lucas and no other report of their location, according to the press release.

The Coast Guard said marina operators throughout Baja, Mexico, have reported not seeing the missing boat.

A tweet from the Coast Guard included a picture of the O’Briens and two photos of the “Ocean Bound.”

The Mexican Navy, with the assistance of the #USCG , is searching for three American sailors, last heard from April 4, near Mazatlan, MX. en route to San Diego. Kerry and Frank O'Brien and William Gross were sailing aboard the 44-foot S/V Ocean Bound. https://t.co/0bzFQVsYC3 pic.twitter.com/GCcbGBvkQH — USCGNorCal (@USCGNorCal) April 15, 2023

A joint statement from the missing sailors’ families said the three “are all experienced sailors,” CNN reported . The statement said the sailing community “has hundreds of additional vessels looking for our family members.”

READ MORE: Videos: US woman kidnapped in Mexico; FBI releases footage

Gross’ daughter, Melissa Spicuzza, told NBC 7 that he lives on a boat in a San Diego Bay marina, and the O’Briens invited him on the sailing trip.

“He loves the ocean and he loves sailing so any opportunity that he has to be on the water, he will take,” Spicuzza said.

A Coast Guard search mission coordinator, Cmdr. Greg Higgins, told CNN that weather conditions were “not optimal for that type of trip” when the Americans set out from Mazatlán.

“Winds potentially over 30 knots and seas 15 to 20, maybe more, feet at the time of their voyage,” he said. “It’s a long trip … even in good conditions, from Mazatlán to Cabo. That’s two days.”

He said the Coast Guard has helped with search planning.

“We’re using computer search tools to identify where the vessel may be based on environmental conditions, winds, and currents, where it may have drifted if they became distressed,” he said.

He added that Coast Guard aircraft and cutters are also “searching with the permission of Mexico,” CNN reported.

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Police suspect U.S. couple are dead after their boat was hijacked in the Caribbean

The Associated Press

The yacht "Simplicity", that officials say was hijacked by three escaped prisoners with two people aboard, is docked at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard Service Calliaqua Base, in Calliaqua, St. Vincent, on Friday. Kenton X. Chance/AP hide caption

The yacht "Simplicity", that officials say was hijacked by three escaped prisoners with two people aboard, is docked at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard Service Calliaqua Base, in Calliaqua, St. Vincent, on Friday.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A U.S. couple whose catamaran was hijacked last week in the Caribbean by three escaped prisoners were presumed dead and likely had been thrown into the ocean, police said Monday.

The accounts by police in Grenada and in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were a blow to those who were independently helping search for Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel and had hoped they were alive.

Don McKenzie, commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said at a news conference that the three prisoners escaped on Feb. 18 from the South Saint George Police Station. They hijacked the catamaran Simplicity on the following day and then headed to St. Vincent, where they were arrested last Wednesday, he said.

"Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, they disposed of the occupants," McKenzie said.

McKenzie said he had no conclusive proof that the couple was dead but cited a "low probability" they were alive.

Jamaica and the Bahamas are pushing back against U.S. travel warnings

Hours later, the main spokesman for the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force posted a video saying that while no bodies have been found, the couple is presumed dead based on the investigation so far.

Police report signs of violence aboard the abandoned boat

The suspects were being investigated for several criminal acts, including "bodily harm to the couple," spokesman Junior Simmons said in the brief recorded statement. There were signs of violence on the couple's boat found abandoned in St. Vincent, he said.

"Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin, and a red substance that resembles blood was seen on board," he said.

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association has said that Hendry and Brandel were "veteran cruisers" and longtime members of the association, calling them "warm-hearted and capable."

It said the couple had sailed the yacht in last year's Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and were spending the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

A son of Hendry and a son of Brandel did not immediately return messages for comment.

A GoFundMe page created to raise money for the couple's family noted that Brandel had recently become a first-time grandmother, and that the sailing community was "shattered" by what happened.

"Kathy and Ralph, experienced adventurers, spent their retirement sailing aboard Simplicity, spending summers in New England and embracing the warmth of Caribbean winters," the page stated.

A massive search for 3 missing American sailors off Mexico coast has been called off

McKenzie, Grenada's police commissioner, said a five-person team was sent to St. Vincent to help with the investigation.

After his brief announcement on Monday, McKenzie and other police officials took questions from local media, including one reporter who asked, "Who is really to be blamed for this massive failure to keep these prisoners under the control of the (Royal Grenada Police Force) which has now resulted in this tragedy?"

The prisoners' escape is being investigated

McKenzie said police have launched an investigation into the escape and are looking into whether it was "a system failure" or a case of a "slip up."

"All aspects of that investigation are on the table," he said, adding that the police holding station where the three men were being held has "sufficient safety to prevent an incident like that (from) occurring."

When the reporter asked why the three men who were arrested remained in a holding cell instead of prison, Vannie Curwen, assistant police commissioner, said the men first had to see a magistrate who would decide whether to grant bail or order them remanded.

The escaped prisoners, Trevon Robertson, a 19-year-old unemployed man; Abita Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; were charged a couple of months ago with one count of robbery with violence. Mitchell also was charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault and causing harm, police in Grenada said.

Simmons said the three men appeared in court in St. Vincent on Monday and pleaded guilty to four counts each of immigration-related charges, including entering the island as a "prohibited immigrant" with no passport. They are scheduled to be sentenced on those charges in March.

Mexico calls off search for 3 missing Americans who were sailing to San Diego

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Mexico’s navy has suspended a search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast, the U.S Coast Guard said Wednesday.

A Coast Guard statement said that Mexican forces and U.S. assets had searched about 200,000 square nautical miles, an area larger than California, and had found no sign of the boat or the missing Americans, who were heading to San Diego.

The three sailors — Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross — were aboard the 44-foot sailboat Ocean Bound when they were last heard from April 4, officials have said.

They reported being near the Pacific port of Mazatlán, Mexico, at the time. The three had planned to stop for supplies in Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula before proceeding to San Diego.

The Coast Guard has said that marinas in Baja California had not reported seeing the vessel.

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A U.S. couple is feared dead after their boat was allegedly hijacked by escaped prisoners in the Caribbean. Here's what to know.

Updated on: February 27, 2024 / 4:11 PM EST / CBS/AP

Authorities in the eastern Caribbean are scouring waters in the region in hopes of finding a missing U.S. couple who were aboard their catamaran Simplicity more than a week ago when police say it was hijacked by three escaped prisoners from Grenada.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were likely thrown into the ocean and died, police in Grenada said Monday. "Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St Vincent, (the suspects) disposed of the occupants," Don McKenzie, police commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said at a  news conference .

The search for them began on Feb. 21 after someone discovered their catamaran abandoned on the shores of St. Vincent and alerted authorities.

Police say the three prisoners escaped from a police station on Feb. 18 and hijacked the catamaran a day later. Authorities said the prisoners then illegally entered the southwest coast of St. Vincent on Feb. 19 and docked the boat. Two days later, the three men were arrested along the island's northwest coast.

Here's what to know about the case:

Who is the couple?

Hendry and Brandel sailed the eastern coast of the U.S., living on their yacht, "making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family," the couple's family said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We would like to say a few words about Kathy and Ralph that we wish all to know," the family said. "We live in a world that at times can be cruel, but it's also a world of profound beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith. Our parents encompassed all those values and so much more. If we have learned anything from this tragic event, it's that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born."

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association has described Brandel and Hendry as veteran cruisers and long-time members who were "warm-hearted and capable." It noted that Brandel served on the association's board for two years.

The association said the couple had sailed their boat in the 2023 Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia to Antigua and planned to spend the winter cruising the eastern Caribbean. A GoFundMe donation page stated that Brandel had become a first-time grandmother.

The GoFundMe page had raised over $60,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.

Family and friends have described the couple as seasoned sailors who had been vacationing in Grenada, where their boat was docked.

"It's just really sad," said longtime friend K.C. McAlpin, who added that Brandel and Hendry had planned to make this their "last grand trip" on Simplicity.

McAlpin said the couple always made friends easily and he hoped they would be remembered for their big hearts.

"They were just a delightful couple and a real blessing in my life, and the lives of so many other people," he said.

Why was the couple targeted?

It's unclear why the escaped prisoners hijacked the couple's catamaran, but it was moored at Grand Anse beach, near to the police station where the three men escaped.

Police believe the men hijacked the catamaran with the couple aboard and then allegedly threw them into the water while traveling to St. Vincent, which is located north of Grenada.

They have noted that there were signs of violence aboard the catamaran.

Who are the escaped prisoners?

Police in Grenada have identified the escaped prisoners as Trevon Robertson, a 19-year-old unemployed man; Abita Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor.

All were charged a couple of months ago with one count of robbery with violence. Mitchell also was charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault and causing harm.

Vannie Curwen, Grenada's assistant police commissioner, has said the men had been placed in a holding cell rather than in jail because a judge had not yet ruled whether they would be released on bail.

Why haven't the escaped prisoners been charged?

Police in Grenada and St. Vincent have provided limited information about the case of the missing couple, noting that the investigation is ongoing, though they have said the couple is presumed dead.

Authorities have not yet shared any specific evidence linking the three men to the couple's disappearance. St. Vincent police say the men have been cooperating in the investigation.

The men pleaded guilty this week to immigration-related charges, and are scheduled to be sentenced on those counts in early March.

Who has jurisdiction of the case?

Authorities have not said whether prosecutors in St. Vincent or Grenada would pursue the case involving the couple.

Grenada Police Commissioner Don McKenzie said the attorney generals and prosecutors on both islands "are in discussions."

Meanwhile, Grenada police sent a team of five officials to help with the investigation in nearby St. Vincent.

What's next?

Police in Grenada have launched an investigation into how the men were able to escape from their holding cell.

McKenzie has said the police station should have been secure enough to prevent such an escape, and that authorities are looking into whether it was a "system failure" or a "slip up."

McKenzie has said no officers have resigned or been disciplined, although one supervisor at the station has been transferred to another location "to ensure a thorough investigation in this matter."

In their Tuesday statement, the couple's family said that while they are incredibly saddened to hear the news that   Hendry and Brandel   are presumed dead, they remain optimistic as the search continues. 

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“The search was suspended pending further developments after SEMAR and U.S. Coast Guard responders conducted 281 cumulative search hours covering approximately 200,057 square nautical miles, an area larger than the state of California, off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast with no sign of the missing sailing vessel nor its passengers.

“’An exhaustive search was conducted by our international search and rescue partner, Mexico, with the U.S. Coast Guard and Canada providing additional search assets,’ said Cmdr. Gregory Higgins, command center chief, Coast Guard District 11. ‘SEMAR and U.S. Coast Guard assets worked hand-in-hand for all aspects of the case. Unfortunately, we found no evidence of the three Americans’ whereabouts or what might have happened. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of William Gross, Kerry O’Brien and Frank O’Brien.’”

The USCG wrote, “This is a reminder for mariners of the importance of providing a person ashore with your float plan, which in this case allowed the U.S Coast Guard to be notified when the missing sailors did not check in with family. It also underscores the importance of carrying a registered 406MHz electronic position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) for automatic notification in emergencies.”

Ocean Bound left Mazatlán at around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, and headed west across the Sea of Cortez en route to San Diego. The crew had planned to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6 to check in and reprovision, but they did not report in or arrive in Cabo San Lucas, and have not been heard from since.

Search and rescue coordinators contacted marinas throughout Baja, Mexico, and urgent marine information broadcasts were issued over VHF radio but resulted in no additional information. According to Douglas Samp, Search and Rescue Program Manager US Coast Guard Pacific Area, there was no EPIRB registered to the boat.

ABC10 News reached out to the Lafitte’s designer, Bob Perry, to ask how the boat would have fared in rough sea conditions. Perry spoke positively of the boat’s ability to withstand the seas and winds said to have been prevalent at the time of Ocean Bound’s voyage (as we understand, 30+ knot winds and 15- 20-ft seas). “You’re not out there enjoying yourself in those conditions,” Perry said, “but you should not be in survival mode.” He told the reporter that other possibilities include fire or collision.

At this point, all sailors are fearing the worst but hoping for the best. These are three capable sailors aboard a capable boat in breezy but not stormy conditions. As we all know, it’s possible they may have had engine or communications failures and could have decided to proceed offshore under sail. They may have decided to do the clipper route, going well offshore. While the circumstances appear unfavorable, it is hard to give up hope until some confirmation of loss is made.

I’m distressed with the missing boat and crew and my heart goes out to their families. With weather forecasting as it is these days, I wonder if the sever weather (25-30 kts of wind and 20′ seas) was never forecasted, or did they just not consult weather predictions?

Could they have been hijacked?

I strongly hope they are found.

We departed Mazatlan for La Paz on 4/6 after watching PredictWind forecasts that look bad for about 3 days. The forecast wasn’t as bad as the conditions reported but I’ve found that to be the case on this crossing. When we left the forecast was for 8-10Knots and 3-4 feet calming for the next few days. We saw double the forecast for 24 hours. Unpleasant but not dangerous.

I’m surprised about the lack of a registered EPIRB and wonder about a life raft aboard. Very sad.

15- 20-ft seas in the sea of cortez?

We saw 40 knots and 20′ seas between San Evaristo and Isla San Francisco during the second day of a Norther. It wasn’t fun, but for about six hours, the boat sailed through it on a broad reach with the Monitor steering. We got pooped a couple of times,but I was sailing in my skivvies and it was 80 degrees and sunny.

We don’t know what happened, of course, and I still hope all three of them somehow turn up soon. I am reminded that in such seas the worst thing I could be is surprised by a 20-foot wave while broadside to it. I have read that a wave as high as your boat is wide will capsize the boat. If capsized without hatch boards and main hatch cover securely closed, I shudder to think about how fast the boat would flood upside down, until more wave motion and the weight of the keel rolled it back upright…

Knowing people who have it happen, in different areas, one wonders whether a whale collision could have happened. Another observation about moving South is that there are more and more boats that do not display ANY lights at night. Fingers crossed and hoping they are found and in good health…

Done that Delivery many times Most important is a weather window Sea state &if the shrimp boats are anchored They Know.Good luck the chief

This is really tragic. Curious that there is no mention of EPIRB, PLB, Liferaft, AIS, Iridium GO or In Reach. Most offshore cruising boats we see in our travels have most if not all of these safety items. Liferafts, EPIRB are mostly hydrostatic release types. One would think that even in the most egregious situation at least one or more of these would deploy.

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