Eleven people are still missing as windy conditions hamper rescuers searching for bodies after a Mexican chartered boat capsized off the Baja Peninsula.
The 100 foot catamaran, named Erik and operated by Baja Fishing from the resort of San Felipe, was carrying 44 people when a thunderstorm caused it to keel over on Sunday. Some 33 people have been rescued so far.
“When the vessel sank it was close enough to shore that some people were able to swim to shore,” said Coast Guard Petty Officer Pamela Boehland from Alameda, California. “Other people were picked up by good Samaritan vessels that were in the area. Others were rescued by the Mexican Navy.”
The US Coast Guard, which is assisting the Mexican Navy, launched a helicopter from San Diego to help search for the missing early this morning.
But local port official Felipe Vallecillo told Reuters: “We are still looking for the rest of the people. The weather is really bad right now, with strong winds.â€
San Felipe is a popular scuba and snorkelling resort.
