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Search Halted for 3 Americans Missing Off the Mexican Coast

Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross, who were sailing aboard the Ocean Bound, were last heard from near Mazatlán, Mexico, on April 4.

The Ocean Bound in the waters of a port on a cloudy day. Its sails are folded.

By Johnny Diaz

The search for three Americans who were reported missing two weeks ago, after sailing off the coast of Mexico to California, has been called off, the authorities in both countries said.

The U.S. Coast Guard in Alameda, Calif., said on Wednesday that the Mexican Navy, known as SEMAR, had informed the agency that it had suspended its search for the three people after an effort of a cumulative 281 hours covering just over 200,000 square nautical miles.

The missing people, a woman and two men identified as Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross, were sailing aboard the Ocean Bound, a 44-foot La Fitte sailboat. They were last heard from on April 4, when they were near Mazatlán, Mexico, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The three travelers had left Mazatlán on their way to San Diego, and they were scheduled to stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on April 6 to resupply the boat with provisions, according to the Coast Guard.

“However, they did not report in or arrive in Cabo San Lucas,” the Coast Guard said.

On Saturday, the Coast Guard shared information and photos of the missing sailors and the vessel.

The Coast Guard said that the search encompassed “an area larger than the state of California” off Mexico’s northern Pacific Coast, but that there were no signs of the missing boat or its passengers. The Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy worked together in coordinating and conducting the search.

As part of the effort, marine broadcasts were dispatched over VHF radio, but they did not yield any clues about the location of the missing travelers.

“An exhaustive search was conducted by our international search-and-rescue partner, Mexico, with the U.S. Coast Guard and Canada providing additional search assets,” Cmdr. Gregory Higgins, command center chief of Coast Guard District 11, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, we found no evidence of the three Americans’ whereabouts or what might have happened.”

He added that “our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends” of the three sailors.

After the suspension of the search, Heather Alcazar, one of Mr. Gross’s daughters, said on Thursday that “although this was devastating news for our families, we support the decision of SEMAR and the U.S.C.G.”

Ms. Alcazar said her father, 71, is a San Diego resident.

“Knowing that our family members have been part of a multinational search is not something we take for granted,” Ms. Alcazar said. “It shows the kind of commitment and cooperation we will all praise in the years to come.”

“Ocean Bound and her crew are missing,” she added, “but they will not be forgotten.”

Ms. O’Brien’s mother, Ellen Argall, said on Friday that her daughter, who is 52, and Frank O’Brien have been married for 18 years, and that both are licensed boat captains who have sailed for nearly 20 years. The couple , who live in Girdwood, Alaska, had invited their friend Mr. Gross to join them on the trip, Ms. Argall said.

“I was devastated but I understand,” she said of the suspension of the search. “I still have a glimmer of hope. I am not going to lose my little glimmer of hope.”

Johnny Diaz is a general assignment reporter covering breaking news. He previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and The Boston Globe. More about Johnny Diaz

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Search suspended for 3 missing American sailors off Mexico

The search has been suspended for three Americans who set sail from Mexico bound for San Diego more than two weeks ago and have not been seen since , authorities said Wednesday.

Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross left Mazatlán on Mexico’s Pacific coast on April 4 aboard Ocean Bound, a 44-foot sailing vessel.

“Unfortunately, we found no evidence of the three Americans’ whereabouts or what might have happened,” Coast Guard Cmdr. Gregory Higgins said in a statement.

The sailing vessel Ocean Bound.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of William Gross, Kerry O’Brien and Frank O’Brien,” Higgins said.

The three sailors intended to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6, report in and get more provisions, but they did not arrive there, the Coast Guard said.

“Our hope is for our Dad, and Kerry and Frank to be sailing into port soon, tired and sore, but safe,” Gross’ three children said in a statement Tuesday.

The Coast Guard said it and the Mexican Navy searched about 200,057 square nautical miles off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast.

The Americans left a "float plan" with people ashore, which helped searchers, the Coast Guard said. It urged all mariners to do the same. People should also ensure they're carrying an "electronic position indicating radio beacon," or EPIRB.

Mexico's navy conducted the search with assets from the U.S. Coast Guard and Canada, the Coast Guard said.

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Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

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A massive search for 3 missing American sailors off Mexico coast has been called off

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ocean bound sailboat found

The Mexican Navy searched for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico's northern Pacific coast. Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross were aboard the boat and have not been heard from since April 4, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. AP hide caption

The Mexican Navy searched for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico's northern Pacific coast. Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross were aboard the boat and have not been heard from since April 4, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The search for three Americans missing along with their sailboat off Mexico's northern Pacific coast since April 4 has been suspended, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

In a news release Wednesday, the agency said the search was suspended pending "further developments" after SEMAR — the Mexican navy — and the Coast Guard spent roughly 280 hours searching Mexico's northern Pacific coast.

After searching nearly 200,000 square miles with no sign of the missing passengers and the missing sailing vessel, officials suspended the search.

"SEMAR and U.S. Coast Guard assets worked hand-in-hand for all aspects of the case. Unfortunately, we found no evidence of the three Americans' whereabouts or what might have happened," Coast Guard Cmdr. Gregory Higgins said.

U.S. Coast Guard and Mexican navy are searching for 3 missing American sailors

U.S. Coast Guard and Mexican navy are searching for 3 missing American sailors

The three sailors — identified as Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross — reportedly left Mazatlán, a city on Mexico's west coast, aboard a 44-foot boat named Ocean Bound on April 4 and were headed to San Diego.

They planned to stop in Cabo San Lucas — roughly 224 miles from Mazatlán — on April 6 to report in before they continued their trip, the Coast Guard said. However, there was no record of the three mariners arriving in Cabo San Lucas nor a check-in of their location.

In an interview with San Diego TV station NBC 7 , the family of William Gross told the station they have not lost hope and that he and his sailing companions will be found.

"Our hope is for our Dad, and Kerry and Frank to be sailing into port soon, tired and sore, but safe," the Gross family said in a statement to the station. "And our hearts certainly go out to the other two families who are being equally impacted during this extremely difficult time."

Boat Watch, International search aid for missing & overdue boats.

SV Ocean Bound Overdue Mexico to San Diego, CA

Apr 15, 2023 | Unresolved

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Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment LA/LB
Office: (310) 521-4260


Broadcast Version For Maritime Mobile Service Network and Other Networks

Rcc alameda has requested assistance with an overdue bolo for sv ocean bound on passage from mazatlan, mexico. the sv left on tuesday april 04, 2023 and was enroute to cabo mexico for the evening. it then had planned to head north to san diego, california., the sv is a 45 foot la fitte with a black hull and with a red stripe. all vessels are requested to keep a sharp lookout and make all reports to the uscg., on board the sv are kerry o’brien, frank o’brien and bill gross., rcc alameda, 510-437-3701, [email protected].

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3 American sailors missing off the coast of Mexico

They haven't been heard from since April 4.

The Mexican Navy and United States Coast Guard are searching for three missing American sailors who have not been seen since April 4.

According to the Coast Guard , Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross were sailing onboard the “Ocean Bound,” a 44-foot LaFitte sailboat. They were last heard from on April 4 when they departed Mazatlán, Mexico -- a resort town in Sinaloa.

The trio of Americans were sailing to San Diego with a planned stop in Cabo San Lucas, where they would pick up additional supplies on April 6 but the Coast Guard said there is no record of the group arriving in Cabo San Lucas or providing any report of their location. Additionally, marinas in Baja, Mexico, have yet to see the vessel or sailors.

The trip from Mazatlán to Cabo San Lucas requires an over 200-mile sail across the southern Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez.

The Mexican Navy is now searching for the missing sailors with assistance from the Coast Guard, asking any mariner to look for the missing vessel.

“Search and rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja, Mexico, with negative sightings of the vessel,” the Coast Guard said. “Urgent marine information broadcasts have been issued over VHF radio requesting all mariners to keep a lookout for the missing persons and vessel.”

The three sailors were traveling on a 44-foot sailboat designed by Robert H. Perry Yacht Designers , equipped with a single mast for sailing and an auxiliary motor. According to Cruising World , the LaFitte 44 is a formidable ocean sailboat, with multiple owners circumnavigating the world with the boat.

ABC News' Izzy Alvarez contributed to this report.

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Mexico deploys plane, ships in search for 3 missing Americans who were sailing to San Diego

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The Mexican Navy says it is using ships and a plane to search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast.

The navy said Monday that it is using four patrol boats and a twin-engine prop airplane to search the area, but apparently no sign of the missing trio has turned up yet.

The three Americans were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel Ocean Bound. The U.S. Coast Guard gave their names as Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross.

They have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlán. The three had planned to stop for supplies in the Baja town of Cabo San Lucas before proceeding to San Diego.

However, the Coast Guard said marinas in Baja California have not reported seeing the vessel.

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Search suspended for 3 U.S. sailors missing off Mexican coast

April 19, 2023 / 9:54 PM EDT / CBS News

The search for three Americans who went missing earlier this month while sailing off the coast of Mexico has been suspended, authorities said Wednesday.

The U.S. Coast Guard said that it was informed by the Mexican Navy that it had suspended its search for Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross. The Coast Guard had been assisting in the search effort.  

The three were last heard from on April 4 near Mazatlán, Mexico, according to the Coast Guard. They had been sailing aboard the "Ocean Bound" a 44-foot Lafitte sailboat.

Search for missing U.S. sailors suspended off Mexican coast

The sailors had left Mazatlán en route to San Diego, the Coast Guard said, and had been scheduled to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6, but they never arrived. Their last known communication came April 4, when they made calls requesting a stop in Cabo San Lucas for food and fuel.

The Coast Guard said Wednesday that its joint search effort with the Mexican Navy consisted of a cumulative 281 search hours, and covered just over 200,000 square nautical miles.

The search focused on Mexico's northern Pacific coast, and resulted in no sign of either the missing sailors or their sailboat, the Coast Guard said. 

Kerry and Frank O'Brien are a married couple. Kerry's mother, Ellen Argall, told CBS News earlier this week that her daughter and son-in-law have sailed together for nearly 20 years and are both licensed boat captains. They asked Gross, who had 50 years of experience, to journey with them. 

"It's agony, pure agony," Argall said. "I've been trying to hold myself together."

There were reports of poor weather conditions the day they departed Mazatlán, the Coast Guard had said, and Ocean Bound's navigational equipment was older. 

"It's a long trip for even in good conditions," a Coast Guard spokesperson told CBS News.   

— Elise Preston contributed to this report. 

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Mexico ends search for missing americans and their sailboat, u.s. coast guard says.

Mexican forces and U.S. assets have found no signs of the missing people or the boat

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Mexico's navy has suspended a search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico's northern Pacific coast, the U.S Coast Guard said Wednesday.

A Coast Guard statement said that Mexican forces and U.S. assets had searched about 200,000 square nautical miles, an area larger than California, and had found no sign of the missing people or the boat.

The three Americans — Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross — were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel "Ocean Bound" when they were last heard from on April 4, officials have said.

This photo provided by the U.S Coast Guard on April 14, 2023, shows missing Americans Frank O’Brien, left, and Kerry O’Brien. The two Americans, joined by William Gross, were aboard the 44-foot (13.5 meter) sailing vessel “Ocean Bound,” and have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlan, Mexico, according to the Coast Guard. The Mexican Navy says it is using ships and a plane to search for the three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico&apos&#x3B;s northern Pacific coast. (Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard via AP)

They reported being near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlán, Mexico, at the time. The three had planned to stop for supplies in Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula before proceeding to San Diego.

The Coast Guard has said marinas in Baja California had not reported seeing the vessel.

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US, Mexico officials search for 3 US sailors missing for 11 days, were on way to San Diego

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The Mexican Navy and the United States Coast Guard are searching for three U.S. sailors who have been missing for 11 days.

The sailors – identified as Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross – were last heard from on April 4, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a press release  Friday. At the time, they were near Mazatlán, Mexico, a city in the coastal state of Sinaloa.

When the three left Mazatlán, they were headed to San Diego. The sailors planned to stop in Cabo San Lucas on their way – "for provisions and to report in" on April 6, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

There is no record of the three Americans arriving in Cabo San Lucas or the group providing a report of their location, the Coast Guard said.

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Authorities have also not received any sightings of the group or the 44-foot LaFitte boat, named "Ocean Bound," that they were sailing with.

"Search and rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja, Mexico, with negative sightings of the vessel," the Coast Guard wrote. "Urgent marine information broadcasts have been issued over VHF radio requesting all mariners to keep a lookout for the missing persons and vessel."

The Mexican Navy is searching for the sailors with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard. Anyone with information about the "the whereabouts of Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross or the sailing vessel Ocean Bound" is asked to contact authorities .

According to ABC News , traveling from Mazatlán to Cabo San Lucas by boat requires a more than 200-mile sail across the southern Gulf of California.

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US, Mexican officials search for 3 American sailors last heard from 11 days ago

The US Coast Guard is assisting Mexican navy crews in the search for three American sailors, last heard from on April 4 near Mazatlán, Mexico, according to a Coast Guard news release.

Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross are all "experienced sailors," according to a joint statement from their families. They were aboard the Ocean Bound, a 44-foot La Fitte sailing vessel, when they left the Mexican city of Mazatlán en route to San Diego, the Coast Guard said.

"The sailors planned to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6 for provisions and to report in before continuing on to San Diego," the news release said.

"However, there was no record of them arriving in Cabo San Lucas or a report in of their location."

Rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja, Mexico, but there have been no sightings of the vessel, the news release said.

"Urgent marine information broadcasts have been issued over VHF radio requesting all mariners to keep a lookout for the missing persons and vessel," the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard officials urge anyone with information on the sailors or the sailing vessel to call the Coast Guard search and rescue coordination center at 510-437-3701.

Weather 'not optimal' for that type of trip

Cmdr. Greg Higgins, search mission coordinator for the US Coast Guard, said the weather was less than ideal when the trio set out.

"When they began their voyage we know that the conditions were not optimal for that type of trip, though certainly, there were sailing vessels out there during that time. Winds potentially over 30 knots and seas 15 to 20, maybe more, feet at the time of their voyage," Higgins told CNN's Fredricka Whitfield Saturday.

Missing Sailors Mexico

"It's a long trip for even in good conditions, from Mazatlán to Cabo. That's two days, and certainly on to San Diego, which was their eventual destination. And since then it has improved marginally," he added.

Higgins said he hopes to gather information from witnesses who might have seen the sailors who went missing.

"The Mexican Navy, now based in La Paz, Mexico, has the lead for search efforts, so there are numerous Mexican naval search and rescue assets that are working the case," Higgins said. "For our portion, to support the excellent partnership that we have with Mexico and the Mexican Navy.

"We've conducted search planning, so we're using computer search tools to identify where the vessel may be based on environmental conditions, winds, and currents, where it may have drifted if they became distressed, as well as Coast Guard aircraft, searching with the permission of Mexico, and Coast Guard cutters searching as well," Higgins said.

Missing Americans are 'experienced sailors,' families say

The three Americans "are all experienced sailors," according to a joint statement from their families.

"Bill has over 50 years of sailing experience and is an extremely talented coastal cruiser. Kerry and Frank have 20 years sailing together and both hold captains licenses with the US Coast Guard," according to the statement.

Ocean Bound, described as "a sturdy older vessel," departed Mazatlán on April 4 at about 9:30 a.m. local time. It headed "across the Sea of Cortez, a short stop had been planned in Cabo San Lucas and then to sail up the coast of Baja to San Diego," the statement said. When they didn't check in by the weekend, the Coast Guard was notified.

"Cell phone pings on 4/4/2023 show off the coast of Mazatlan as calls to marinas in Cabo San Lucas," according to the families.

Their families presume they were trying to make slip reservations at the marina. But, because all the calls made were so short, it's believed the attempts to reach someone were unsuccessful, said the statement. That calls are the last known contact with the Ocean Bound.

According to family, the Coast Guard "has a current 'travel projection' if Ocean Bound simply lost radio contact and continued her journey to San Diego at just North or South of Turtle Bay (Bahia Tortugas) on the Baja Peninsula and is focused on searching there, in addition to long aircraft sweeps along the Baja Peninsula."

The parameters are reassessed each night to redefine the search the next day, according to the statement.

"The sailing community has hundreds of additional vessels looking for our family members," said the joint statement.

The families thanked the Mexican Navy and US Coast Guard for their search and rescue operations.

"They have communicated all of their efforts with kindness and compassion more than once a day," said the statement.

The CNN Wire ™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Three ‘experienced’ american sailors disappear while cruising mexico shore.

The Ocean Bound

Three experienced American sailors that were last seen cruising the Mexican coast have been missing for 11 days, the US Coast Guard said.

Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Gross left the resort town of Mazatlán on April 4 aboard the Ocean Bound, a 44-foot La Fitte, with plans to make one more stop on their journey to San Diego.

The sailors were due to arrive in Cabo San Lucas — a city on the bottom tip of the Baja California peninsula, roughly — 400 miles from Mazatlán just two days later.

“However, there was no record of them arriving in Cabo San Lucas or a report of their location,” the military said.

Their cell phones last pinged off the coast of Mazatlán when they made calls to the Cabo San Lucas marina, likely in an attempt to make docking reservations, their families said in a joint statement.

The three are knowledgeable sailors with a collective 90 years of experience on the open waters. Kerry and Frank both hold Captain’s licenses with the US Coast Guard.

“Ocean Bound is a sturdy older vessel and by many accounts is one of the best sailboats ever constructed,” the families said.

William Gross driving the boat.

“It can be argued that by today’s standards it is lacking technology. There is also an argument for these sailors who’ve been reading star charts and coastal navigation for most of their lives. Technology can fail simply due to one wire or a power outage. Their collective knowledge and experience will not fail.”

Cmdr. Greg Higgins, search mission coordinator for the US Coast Guard, told CNN that the weather was less than ideal when the group went missing.

“When they began their voyage we know that the conditions were not optimal for that type of trip, though certainly, there were sailing vessels out there during that time. Winds potentially over 30 knots and seas 15 to 20, maybe more, feet at the time of their voyage,” Higgins said.

Kerry O’Brien and Frank O’Brien

“It’s a long trip for even in good conditions, from Mazatlán to Cabo. That’s two days, and certainly on to San Diego, which was their eventual destination. And since then it has improved marginally.”

The Mexican Navy is helping the Coast Guard search for the missing sailors, and both have alerted other boaters to keep an eye out for the Ocean Bound and its occupants.

The Ocean Bound

The agencies have widened their search parameters to a “drift projection” in case the sailboat became disabled and is being swept by the waves, and the families are asking boaters as far as South America to be on the lookout.

The Coast Guard is also following a “travel projection” that the Ocean Bound may have followed if the sailors simply lost their radio contact and continued their journey to California.

William Gross driving the boat.

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3 Americans and Their Sailboat Have Vanished Between Mazatlan and San Diego

ocean bound sailboat found

Two American sailors (pictured) are missing along with a third, and their boat, the “Ocean Bound.” Photos: courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

The Inertia

Three American sailors bound for San Diego have disappeared off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

The Mexican Navy and U.S. Coast Guard undertook a joint search effort when the three individuals failed to arrive for a scheduled supply stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6. They’d last been heard from on April 4, the Coast Guard reported , as they sailed their 44-foot vessel Ocean Bound near Mazatlan, Mexico.

But two days later, they’d not only missed their port visit to Cabo San Lucas, but also gone radio silent.

Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien, and William Gross were the crew of the 44-foot yacht. The vessel’s last known whereabouts placed it departing from Mazatlan, the Coast Guard reported. Since then, it said, search and rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja California “with negative sightings of the vessel.”

According to a Facebook post by Kerry’s brother, Mark Argall , “cell phone pings on 4/4/2023 show off the coast of Mazatlan as calls to marinas in Cabo San Lucas. All calls were short and it’s presumed they were trying to make slip/ball reservations.” The calls did not go through, however.

Now, the Coast Guard and Mexican Navy are searching the coastline and Pacific Ocean for any sign of the sailors or the yacht. ABC identified the boat as a Lafitte, designed by Robert H. Perry Yacht Designers. The single-mast ships with their auxiliary motors are powerful and proven ocean-goers, according to Cruising World .

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the three sailors of the Ocean Bound should contact the U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue coordination center at 510-437-3701.

Updates are available via the Coast Guard’s Twitter or Facebook accounts.

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Lafitte 44 ‘Ocean Bound’ Reported Missing in Sea of Cortez

A sailboat with three souls aboard has been reported missing in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Ocean Bound is a 44-ft Lafitte crewed by Kerry and Frank O’Brien and William (Bill) Gross. We understand the boat left Mazatlán at around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, and headed west across the Sea of Cortez en route to San Diego. The crew had planned to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6 to check in and reprovision. When they did not check in by the weekend the situation was reported to the US Coast Guard. The sailors’ families are now also appealing to the sailing community for help in finding the trio.

Missing sailboat

In a Facebook post , Melissa Spicuzza of San Diego wrote that there was a report of cell phone pings on April 4 from a position off the coast of Mazatlán, believed to be calls to marinas in Cabo San Lucas. “All calls were short and it’s presumed they were trying to make slip/ball reservations. Based on the short calls they were unsuccessful.”

The post included the information that Kerry and Frank, the owners of Ocean Bound , both hold US Coast Guard captain’s licenses and have 20 years experience sailing together, and that Bill has over 50 years of sailing experience and is an extremely talented coastal cruiser.

ocean bound sailboat found

“The sailing community has hundreds of additional vessels looking for our family members. Sadly they have not seen or made contact with them either,” Spicuzza wrote. “ Ocean Bound is a sturdy older vessel and by many accounts is one of the best sailboats ever constructed.”

On April 15 the US Coast Guard issued a release stating that the search and rescue efforts are being conducted by the Mexican navy (CMAR/SEMAR) with assistance from the USCG. According to Spicuzza’s post the USCG has determined a couple of scenarios on which to base their search efforts.

One: “The travel projection” — if Ocean Bound simply lost radio contact and continued her journey to San Diego. The search will focus just north or south of Turtle Bay (Bahia Tortuga) on the Baja Peninsula, in addition to long aircraft sweeps along the Baja Peninsula.

Two: “The drift projection” — if Ocean Bound became disabled. This search is focused by CMAR/SEMAR in a 100-mile area south to southeast of Cabo San Lucas, around the waters near Puerto Vallarta. These parameters are reassessed each night to redefine the search the next day.”

“We cannot express enough gratitude to the USCG, CMAR/SEMAR and the sailing community for their help the past four days and their continued S&R efforts going forward. They have communicated all of their efforts with kindness and compassion more than once a day. We truly appreciate everything you’ve done and continue to do. Thank you, you bring us hope and comfort in this painful time. The social media posting efforts of our families is to reach as many people as possible across the globe. If anyone has seen, heard of Ocean Bound and her crew. Knows someone in the areas around the search perimeters. Please help us bring Kerry, Frank and Bill home,” Spicuzza wrote.

Please share this story with all your friends and contacts, sailors or not, to help find the crew of Ocean Bound .

Sailing

Theres a possibility they decided to go the “clipper route”—reaching out toward Hawaii and then tacking over and reaching toward the US coast…experienced offshore sailors in a capable boat could have decided not to do a traditional “bash…”

ocean bound sailboat found

Have not way to verify…. Local Mexico workers informed me today that the boat was found somewhere around 30 miles outside of Banderas Bay and that all on board are well and healthy.

ocean bound sailboat found

Let’s hope for verification!!!

ocean bound sailboat found

It was a different boat. A Catalina 30 with two men and a pregnant lady headed to South America. They didn’t get far.

ocean bound sailboat found

The Catalina 30 was coming up from Chile or Argentina and made it quite far before their sails failed, which i s about when the bolo was called for them. .. they made it to Cabo Corrientes at which point atunero clarion towed them into Chacala. Ocean Bound remains missing without a trace.

ocean bound sailboat found

Said a prayer for Ocean Bound yesterday. HOPE for their safe return to their families.

ocean bound sailboat found

I had a Chung Hawa built trawler fiberglass full keel single screw diesel and was in big seas at night and the whole rudder quadrant failed. Water was coming as the rudder shaft 3″dia laid over..had all bildge pumps running at capacity and two rolls of Remolds wrap alum.foil and a hammer saved our ass..I hammered balls of foil in the massive leak and tied the rudder mechanism to deck structure..and mayday’d our awesome United States Coast Guard..Towed us to Cabrillo beach San Pedro CA. I sure hope this crew shows up.

ocean bound sailboat found

Could the boat have been intercepted by bad people now holding them captive? Prayers for all on board the vessel! This breaks my heart for all of their friends and families.

Pirates usually don’t operate in 30 knot winds and 20′ seas..I would think ? something catastrophic due the weather visibility or collision at sea.

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COMMENTS

  1. Search for 3 missing American sailors off coast of Mexico has been

    Kerry and Frank O'Brien, a married couple, initially decided to travel to Mexico to sail a 41-foot LaFitte sailboat named "Ocean Bound" to San Diego after the boat underwent repairs near Mazatlán ...

  2. Search Halted for 3 Americans Missing Off the Mexican Coast

    The missing people, a woman and two men identified as Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross, were sailing aboard the Ocean Bound, a 44-foot La Fitte sailboat.

  3. Search suspended for 3 missing American sailors off Mexico

    April 19, 2023, 7:20 PM PDT. By Phil Helsel. The search has been suspended for three Americans who set sail from Mexico bound for San Diego more than two weeks ago and have not been seen since ...

  4. US, Mexican officials search for 3 American sailors last heard ...

    The Ocean Bound, a 44-foot sailing vessel, left the Mexican city of Mazatlán on April 4 with three people on board, the US Coast Guard says. ... Ocean Bound, described as "a sturdy older vessel ...

  5. A massive search for 3 missing American sailors off Mexico coast ...

    The three sailors — identified as Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross — reportedly left Mazatlán, a city on Mexico's west coast, aboard a 44-foot boat named Ocean Bound on April 4 ...

  6. Mexico ends search for missing Americans, Coast Guard says

    A Coast Guard statement issued Wednesday says Mexican forces and U.S. assets had searched about 200,000 square nautical miles and found no sign of the missing people or the boat. Officials have said the three Americans were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel "Ocean Bound" when they were last heard from on April 4.

  7. Mexico searches for 3 missing US sailors with plane, ships

    3 of 4 | . This photo provided by the U.S Coast Guard on April 14, 2023, shows the 44-foot (13.5 meter) sailing vessel "Ocean Bound." Three Americans, Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross, were aboard the boat and have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlan, Mexico, according to the Coast Guard.

  8. 3 American sailors missing off coast of Mexico

    Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross were aboard the sailing vessel "Ocean Bound," a 44-foot La Fitte that left Mazatlán en route to San Diego, according to a news release Friday from ...

  9. Mexico calls off search for 3 missing Americans who were sailing to San

    April 20, 2023 4:26 AM PT. MEXICO CITY —. Mexico's navy has suspended a search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico's northern Pacific coast, the U.S ...

  10. Mexico suspends search for missing Americans whose 44-foot sailboat

    The three Americans — Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross — were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel "Ocean Bound" when they were last heard from on April 4, officials have said.

  11. Loved ones hold out hope for 3 American sailors missing for nearly two

    The couple's 44-foot sailboat, "Ocean Bound," also had older navigational equipment. The search area is some 2,500 square miles. The Mexican Navy told CBS News that two patrol boats, two ...

  12. SV Ocean Bound Overdue Mexico to San Diego, CA

    Kerry, Frank and Bill are all experienced sailors, Bill has over 50 years of sailing experience and is an extremely talented coastal cruiser. Kerry and Frank have 20 years sailing together and both hold Captains licenses with the US Coast Guard. Ocean Bound is a sturdy older vessel and by many accounts is one of the best sailboats ever constructed.

  13. Mexico, US searching for 3 missing Americans in Pacific

    The men — identified as Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross — were on the 44-foot sailboat Ocean Bound when they were last heard from on April 4, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement issued Friday. No information was given on the men's hometowns.

  14. 3 American sailors missing off the coast of Mexico

    According to the Coast Guard, Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross were sailing onboard the "Ocean Bound," a 44-foot LaFitte sailboat. They were last heard from on April 4 when ...

  15. Mexico searches for 3 missing Americans with plane, ships

    Associated Press. April 18, 2023 2:26 AM PT. MEXICO CITY —. The Mexican Navy says it is using ships and a plane to search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off ...

  16. Search suspended for 3 U.S. sailors missing off Mexican coast

    They had been sailing aboard the "Ocean Bound" a 44-foot Lafitte sailboat. An undated photo of Frank and Kerry O'Brien, two of the three U.S. sailors who went missing while sailing off the Pacific ...

  17. Mexico Navy ends search for missing Americans and their boat, U.S

    The two Americans, joined by William Gross, were aboard the 44-foot (13.5 meter) sailing vessel "Ocean Bound," and have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast ...

  18. Missing American sailors prompt Mexican Navy, US Coast Guard search

    Authorities have also not received any sightings of the group or the 44-foot LaFitte boat, named "Ocean Bound," that they were sailing with. "Search and rescue coordinators have contacted marinas ...

  19. US, Mexican officials search for 3 American sailors last heard from 11

    The Ocean Bound, a 44-foot sailing vessel, left the Mexican city of Mazatlán on April 4 with three people on board, the US Coast Guard says. US Coast Guard "It's a long trip for even in good ...

  20. Three American sailors missing after cruising Mexican coast

    "Ocean Bound is a sturdy older vessel and by many accounts is one of the best sailboats ever constructed," the families said. 3. The three have 90 years of collective sailing experience.

  21. Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross reported missing

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the sailors or the Ocean Bound sailing vessel is encouraged to contact the U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Coordination Center at 510-437-3701.

  22. 3 Americans and Their Sailboat Have Vanished Between ...

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the three sailors of the Ocean Bound should contact the U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue coordination center at 510-437-3701.

  23. Lafitte 44 'Ocean Bound' Reported Missing in Sea of Cortez

    A sailboat with three souls aboard has been reported missing in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Ocean Bound is a 44-ft Lafitte crewed by Kerry and Frank O'Brien and William (Bill) Gross. We understand the boat left Mazatlán at around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, and headed west across the Sea of Cortez en route to San Diego.

  24. Anguish as dozens die in Senegal shipwreck

    At least 26 people have died after a boat carrying migrants capsized off Senegal's coast. Authorities say more than 100 people were on board the wooden fishing vessel when it sank just 4km (2.5 ...