Fisherman loses life after storm; other sailor lost at sea

A search has intensified in the southern waters for a missing fisherman who set out to sea last Thursday. Devon Portillo along with Kareem Eiley left in their skiff from Independence Village to go fishing near the Ranguana Cayes. But they soon encountered bad weather. When their small craft overturned, Eiley lived to tell the tale but died last Friday while Portillo drifted away and has still not been located.  News Five Delahnie Bain headed to Placencia today and files this report.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

A twenty-three foot skiff on the sea while a small craft warning is in effect turned out to be a deadly combination. In fact, it is reason why two families in the south are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Thirty-three year old Kareem Eiley, was one of two men who went fishing and were tossed from their vessel by a massive wave. He was found clinging to life on Friday and passed away less than twenty-four hours later.

Ryan Linares Jr., Brother of Kareem Eiley

“He seh dehn mi di fishing pan di channel edge. Ih seh and di wind direction start to change and wah big wave come and wash dehn out ah di boat. Di boat noh capsize but ih sing and dash dehn out. Di fishing net and di fishing line, my bredda get tangled inna it and he try bite weh di net and line fi try free ihself. Afta ih free ihself ih get di icebox cova fi float pan and di next guy, Portillo, he had on a life jacket and dehn attempt fi swim back to di boat. But di current inna dis channel mi too strong so instead ah dehn di go to di boat, dehn go further from di boat.”

According to Eiley’s brother, Ryan Linares, the two friends sought refuge on a large coral rock, but Eiley slipped and injured his foot on a thorny orchid and was almost paralyzed with pain. And while Portillo swam off hoping to find help, Eiley weathered the storm on the rock throughout the night.

Ryan Linares

“While he deh out deh four boat pass he and he holla and wave and none ah dehn so si ah. Den di Friday evening bout minutes to four, he saw a catamaran and wah sail boat coming to him so what he did, the last lee bit ah energy weh he had inna he, he swim in front ah di direction weh di boat di come. So when di boat pass close by dehn si he and pick ah up and ker ah dah Placencia.”

Eiley died on Sunday morning in the intensive care unit of Belize Medical Associates. And while his family prepares to lay him to rest, their hearts go out to the family of Devon Portillo, who has still not been located.

Ryan Linares Jr.

“Right now my condolences go out to the Portillo family as well. Our family, we have closure, we have a body weh we could look pan fi di last time but the Portillo family dehn neva get dah opportunity to have it.”

Allen Portillo, Brother of Devon Portillo

“I’m looking forward for closure for him and we’re just asking the public to keep us in their prayers. My mom still has hope but for me it’s winding down drastically so I’m giving up. For all these days, if Devon was even still alive; it would have been a very slim chance that he would survive out there.”

Delahnie Bain

“How is the family handling the whole situation?”

Allen Portillo

“The family I think is very terrified, especially with the fact that two weeks ago we just lost our sister in Belize City.”

Ryan Linares Jr.

“My ma, she di tek it hard right now because fi she pressure high, fi she sugar high and I have to try be strong fi she right now. His wife, she tek it hard as well; everybody tek it hard. Di only one I really worry bout dah ih lee son because he still noh have no idea dat ih pa passed away. He seh fi he daddy di sleep; ih get injured and ih di sleep.”

Independence police were not prepared to make an official statement about the incident, especially since Portillo was one of their own. But the search efforts continue and the Coast Guard is working hand in hand with the Southern Environmental Association, the NGO that sprung into action as soon as they heard of the incident and found the boat.

Nigel Martinez, Finance Director, Southern Environmental Assn

“We went to the scene of the accident. Upon arriving at the scene of the accident, which the vessel was located between Ranguana and Jimmy’s Reef, we came across the said vessel and decided to tow the said vessel into Placencia. Right now we have guys out at the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve, the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve and near the Laughing Bird Caye National Park searching to see whether or not this individual is around or we can come across him. We are searching all the inner cayes and we are working closely with the Belize Coast Guard.”

The Eiley family will celebrate Kareem’s life at a wake tonight and his funeral is set for tomorrow. Meanwhile, as hope fades for the Portillo family, they are considering holding a memorial service for Devon. Delahnie Bain for News Five.

Eiley leaves behind two children, ages four and eleven and a common-law-wife. Petillo is known to have an extended family.