US Volunteers Removed from Advising Mexico Search

HOUSTON, TX - 4/10/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET) -- Effective immediately, the Texas EquuSearch SAR Team is removing its volunteers from advising on the search for the five (5) missing fishermen on-board the Mexican F/V Anastacia. The fishing vessel has been missing since March 30. On April 4 through April 9, EquuSearch Volunteers have donated long hours and offered specific high-tech technical resources to collaborate in the search and rescue at no charge to the families and to the Mexican Navy for one reason: to enhance and improve the quality of the search efforts. There remain at sea five (5) men whose lives are at risk. Texas EquuSearch became involved at the request of some of the family members.

The Mexican Navy refused the offer by the Texas Volunteer Team. The Mexican Navy then pronounced that these free services are not required. In addition, the official coordinator of the search representing those families most affected has declined the offer by Texas EquuSearch for assistance and that the families' ongoing private efforts are satisfactory. For these reasons, reluctantly, Texas EquuSearch management has suspended its efforts to help.

About the F/V Anastacia and the crew: On March 30, the fishing boat and 5 crew set out to shark fish from Isla Mujeres to a special place north of Cozumel Island. This was a planned 24 hour overnight fishing event and the 32 foot motor boat and its 5 man crew have not been heard from since. The Mexican Navy using equipped ships and aircraft and private searches have turned up nothing.

About Texas EquuSearch: Texas EquuSearch Search and rescue Team is a recognized non-profit organization with 650 members, founded over 16 years ago to help locate missing loved ones. The all-volunteer search team works long hours in collaboration with law enforcement and government agencies. Cases number over 1600 with a successful recovery rate better than agency results. EquuSearch became internationally known from its volunteer and high-tech search for Alabama teen Natalee Holloway in 2005 in Aruba waters. EquuSearch also searched for the seven (7) lost sailors on-board the S/V Nina schooner in the Tasman Sea, offshore New Zealand in 2013 and Texas EquuSearch traveled to and supported search efforts in 2005 for victims of the Tsunami, Sri Lanka and coastal Indonesia. Recent cases include both rescues and recoveries for unsolved cases in Texas and surrounding states. Texas EquuSearch has provided search assistance in 38 states and 8 countries at no charge to families of missing loved ones. At this time, the Director of Texas EquuSearch is mobilizing to West Jefferson County to locate an elderly man who is diabetic and needs dialysis treatments and who has not been heard from while he was fishing in local waters.

Source:
Texas EquuSearch Search and Rescue Team
P. O. Box 395, Dickinson, Texas 77539 USA
Office:  +1 (281) 309-9500 --- Toll Free: +1 (877) 270-9500
www.TXEQ.org