Mexico steps us boarding vessels at sea. Erik survivor pleads for Mexico to find lost comrades.

The Gallilean out of San Diego was fishing about 20 miles south of the Mexican American border yesterday at South Coronado Island when they were boarded by the Mexican Navy. Gallilean Sportfishing wrote the following in a Facebook post.

“Today at south Coronado island we got boarded by Mexican navy. It was a routine inspection and also wanted to see passports for passengers/crew. In the choppy weather, their steel boat met up with my wood boat.”  

A recent Sportfishing of California (SAC) newsletter had indicated that passports on passenger carrying sportfishers would only be necessary if they were to venture south of Ensenada.

Gallilean Sportfishing added this Facebook post:

 “Guess the Mexican navy doesn’t read the SAC newsletter.....lol

The Horizon, Royal Polaris and at least one other vessel were boarded by the Mexican Navy at Cedros Island earlier this week where passengers asked for proof of citizenship.

“Three vessels were boarded on routine inspections,” wrote Michelle Gandola from SAC.  “They were asked for passports.  Some passengers didn’t have passports.  It created a situation but in the end all vessels were allowed to continue their fishing activities.”

The story that Mexico was going to start boarding US sportfishing vessels broke on Patch in early July. Arturo Martinez from the Baja California Norte State Tourism office said that you must have a passport to enter Mexican waters. "Yes absolutely, they are entering Mexican waters or territory and are required to comply with the immigration laws of Mexico.”

Martinez went on to say that even anglers on 3/4 trips to the Coronado Islands should carry a US Passport. "It's advisable because they (passengers) are in Mexican waters and it's an official form of Identification."    

Alex Masumoto owns the Rusty Hook Tackle store in San Pedro and posted the following on Facebook:

“It's their country and we have to follow their rules. Everyone should just quit whining and get their passport. I don't feel the Mexican Government did a good job of informing us. There should have been a definitive memorandum sent to San Diego Landings with requirements and a start date. Now they are forcing people to "expedite" the process costing hundreds of dollars.”

This all comes at a time when Mexico is having a terrible time getting American tourists to cross the border and spend dollars there. Steve Herckt from Orange said “just fish in US waters.”

Chris Dunn who is the chief meteorologist at KPHO-TV in Phoenix, Arizona posted the following on Facebook:

I don't think it's the policy itself a lot of people have a problem with, it's the apparent sudden, dramatic shift in requirements that seemed to have changed overnight with very little warning that has those wanting to fish in Mexican waters a little frustrated. For now if you don't have a passport, there's always Catalina Island!

For the time being, it appears that the most prudent course of action is to simply bring a passport along with you if you are going to be fishing in Mexican waters.

 “We recommend that all passengers who have a booked trip aboard a SAC fishing vessel contact their vessel’s office for information regarding their trip.  The Sportfishing companies can direct them to the best course of action and requirements to fish in Mexico,” said Gandola. “For all private yachters, contact the CONAPESCA office.”

Erik survivor Michael Ng pleads for Mexico to find his lost comrades.

Michael Ng from Belmont, Ca survived the sinking of the Erik out of San Felipe, Baja, California. On July 4 of this year, the Erik, a Mexican sportfishing vessel operating out of San Felipe, Mexico sank in approximately 300 feet of water about 60 miles south of the resort town.

Ng was on Fish Talk Radio with Philip Friedman Thursday night on AM 830 Radio and told of the harrowing ordeal. “We were thrown into a sea of fire. We were being burned by chemicals in the diesel fuel for hours after the ship sank,” he said.

Ng described 20-foot seas, having to dodge debris hurled at him by 20-foot seas, and eating Hershey kisses to stay alive. “Next to my wife, they were probably the best kisses I’ve ever had.”

Ng remains steadfast in his desire to locate the sunken vessel and locate his lost friends and comrades. “Secretary of Tourism for Baja California Norte, Juan Tintos told us that Mexican investigators would be sent up to interview us; but no one has come,” said Ng.

Secretary of Tourism Tintos begs to differ. “The Mexican investigators interviewed the survivors in San Francisco. Mexican Navy divers went down 40-meters 2 weeks ago, but because of capacity could not go further down.” 

Ng also claims the Mexican Navy is doing little to locate the sunken ship. Lieutenant Commander Thomas Foster from the 11th United States Coast Guard District confirms that the Mexican Navy told the USCG that there sonar capabilities do not extend beyond 60 meters (196 feet). “There is something that’s not right about that,” said Captain Larry Moore from Fish Talk Radio. “Most kayaks have sonars with a farther and deeper reach.”

Ng said there were only enough life jackets for the crew and that when the ship was going down in the Sea of Cortez, no life jackets were handed out by the crew. On the other hand, Ng says that every crew member had a ships life jacket.

“It’s important to repeat that there is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Federal government and we await its results. Some of the survivors have reported that they did have life jackets,” said Tintos.

“I had my own life jacket,” said Ng. “I bought it at CVS Pharmacy and brought it with me.”

“As far as we know, a meteorological situation caused the storm, high waves and strong gusts, but we will know more when the investigation is concluded,” said Tintos.

Ng however claims that while the storm contributed to the tragedy, it was crew negligence that sank the Erik. “They left the hatches open and that’s why we sank.”

The families of the lost men have established a website at www.FindOurFathers.com.

To listen to the entire interview with Michael, please click on the link Listen to Michael Ng.