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.
On Tuesday, their shipmates 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.
“Every hour he’s still missing, hope gets hit with reality,” said Gary Wong, a survivor whose younger brother, Brian, 54, of Berkeley, is among the missing tourists.
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 the port of San Felipe. At least one American has been confirmed dead. Mexican officials identified the dead Tuesday as Leslie Yee, who was among the missing group.
Sunday was the second day of a week-long fishing trip the group had organized for several years each Independence Day holiday. They had planned to fish for yellowtail.
Gary Wong was celebrating his first day of retirement on the trip with three brothers. He said his brothers, including Craig and Glen, took the trip twice before.
Wong thought he was going to die as the storm tossed the boat.
“I thought, ‘Oh, my God, my first day of retirement and I go down on a boat,’ ” he said. “All that work for what? To be 6 feet under.”
Wong, who was trained as a first responder in his job with the East Bay Municipal Water District, has become the spokesman for the families seeking information about their loved ones.
Mexican navy Capt. Benjamin Pineda Gomez said that with the warm weather and water temperature in the Gulf of California, it’s still possible that the missing tourists are alive.
“A person who casts away can survive many days,” he said. “That sea is calm.”
