Seven fishermen missing at sea

Seven men are missing at sea tonight having gone on a fishing trip and failed to return. Magistrate Richard Swift, Derrick Escobar, Ismael and Abner Quiros, Egbert “Nick” Nicholson, Ealon Reyes and Gustavo Briceno left Belize City aboard a twenty foot Mexican style skiff around nine Sunday morning en route to their usual fishing grounds between Long Caye and English Caye. They have not been heard from since and today coast guard vessels and the B.D.F. Airwing, along with private planes and helicopters searched in vain for the anglers. Strong northwest winds likely blew the skiff beyond the reef in the direction of Turneffe or Glover’s Reef Atolls. Friends tell News Five that the men are experienced sailors and the boat is equipped with life vests. The boat, named Ocean Hopper, is blue with red, white and blue stripes and a blue Bimini top. Family members are asking all fishermen and others at sea, particularly in Belize’s southern waters, to be on the look out. The air and sea search will resume tomorrow.