The Mexican Navy rescued three Canadian sailors on May 25 after their sailboat lost steering and propulsion roughly 32 nautical miles west of San José del Cabo, leaving them adrift in the open Pacific.
The crew of the sailboat MASERRA sent a distress alert after the vessel’s steering system failed. The breakdown left the boat completely dead in the water, unable to navigate or move forward. At 32 nautical miles offshore, the sailors were far beyond sight of land in deep Pacific swells.
Navy Dispatched Defender-Class Vessel
The Naval Search, Rescue, and Maritime Surveillance Station (known by its Spanish acronym ENSAR) picked up the distress call and activated emergency response protocols. ENSAR dispatched a Defender-class vessel to the MASERRA’s location.
Because the sailboat had no functioning steering or propulsion, the Navy crew rigged a tow line on the open ocean. They guided the disabled vessel back to a safe port in Los Cabos. All three Canadian crew members were unharmed, and the boat was secured without further incident.
Navy Urges Boaters to Maintain Vessels
Following the rescue, the Mexican Navy (SEMAR) issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to protecting human life at sea. The Navy used the incident to remind mariners in Los Cabos waters to keep their vessels properly maintained to help prevent emergencies.
SEMAR published the following emergency contact numbers for boaters operating in the area. The national SEMAR hotline is 800-627-4621. The Local Naval Center in Los Cabos can be reached at (612) 111-4868. Mariners can also call for help on VHF Radio Channel 16, which is monitored around the clock by both the Navy and the Port Captain in Cabo.
Los Cabos sits at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. The area draws hundreds of recreational and transiting sailboats each year, particularly during the winter cruising season. Waters west of San José del Cabo face the open Pacific, where conditions can turn dangerous quickly for vessels with mechanical problems.
The rescue was first reported by the Gringo Gazette, citing an official Mexican Navy statement.