2 Aid Sailboats Missing       03/27 10:51

   

   MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Cuban President Miguel Daz-Canel expressed concern on 
Friday for two missing sailboats carrying nine people that were bound for Cuba 
with humanitarian aid.

   The Mexican navy said on Thursday night that they were searching for the 
boats, which departed from Isla Mujeres in southern Mexico on March 20.

   The disappearance comes as an increasing number of countries and aid 
organizations send shipments of aid to Cuba as a U.S. fuel blockade causes 
crippling blackouts and pushes the Caribbean nation to the brink of collapse.

   "From our country, we are doing everything possible in the search and rescue 
of these brothers in struggle," Daz-Canel said.

   So far, naval authorities have received no communication or confirmation of 
the vessels' arrival in Cuba, which had been expected between Tuesday and 
Wednesday of this week.

   On Friday, the organization Nuestra America Convoy, said that based on the 
speed of the vessels reported to the Cuban maritime authorities, the boats in 
Havana should arrive between Friday and Saturday. The organization made an open 
call for any information or sightings of the boats.

   The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are 
equipped with appropriate safety systems and signaling equipment.

   "We are cooperating fully with the authorities and remain confident in the 
crews' ability to reach Havana safely," the organization said in a statement.

   A first vessel from the Convoy Nuestra America, carrying 14 tons of food and 
medicine, 73 solar panels and about a dozen bicycles, arrived in Havana on 
Tuesday.

   As part of the search efforts, the Mexican navy alerted naval commands in 
Isla Mujeres and Yucalpetn, as well as naval search, rescue and surveillance 
stations. It also established coordination with maritime rescue coordination 
centers in Poland, France, Cuba and the United States, along with diplomatic 
representatives from the countries of origin of those on board.

   Search operations involve navy vessels and Persuader-type aircraft, which 
are carrying out maritime and aerial search patterns along the estimated route 
between Isla Mujeres and Havana. The efforts take into account possible course 
changes, as well as prevailing weather conditions and ocean currents in the 
region.