Two Fishermen Survive Hours at Sea After Boat Sinks During Storm Off Yucatan Coast

Progreso, Yucatan — Two fishermen from Chelem Puerto survived hours adrift at sea after their boat sank during a powerful storm off the coast of Chuburná Puerto on Saturday night.

The men had set out on the morning of May 16 aboard the 27-foot fishing vessel “Juan Pablo” to catch scale fish when weather conditions suddenly deteriorated offshore, according to initial reports.

The storm generated intense waves, strong wind gusts, and caused the boat to lose stability before it sank, leaving both fishermen struggling to survive in open water for several hours.

One of the fishermen, identified as Marcos Humberto Castillo Rodríguez, 40, managed to stay alive by using a life jacket. He was found at dawn by the crew of a recreational boat sailing in the area.

Hours later, Víctor Ramón Chablé Casanova, 58, was also found alive after floating while clinging to a plastic drum, waiting for help at sea.

Following the report of the shipwreck, a search operation was launched with support from civilian boats and maritime units, but both fishermen were ultimately rescued by private individuals before official teams arrived.

Once on land, paramedics assessed the men and confirmed they were suffering from dehydration and physical exhaustion but had no serious injuries requiring hospital transfer.

The incident highlighted the risks faced daily by coastal fishermen in the Yucatan Peninsula, especially during periods of weather instability when storms can form suddenly and with great intensity. These meteorological phenomena often produce strong wind gusts, heavy rain, lightning, and high waves, significantly reducing visibility and increasing danger for small and medium-sized vessels.

Maritime authorities have repeatedly urged fishermen and nautical service providers to pay close attention to weather reports before setting sail, as conditions in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Yucatan coast can change abruptly within minutes.

Local residents and fellow fishermen considered the rescue of both men a true miracle after they spent hours in extreme conditions at sea.