Pirates in Mexico?

When John Long left the dock in San Francisco Bay last November, he hoped to sail his 48' steel ketch, Culin to Ireland, and be one of the oldest single handers to cross the Atlantic. Celebrations were already being planned for his arrival in County Cork, but on February 3^rd, while heading for Panama, his body was recovered from Mexican waters.

Initially, it was thought to have been an accident, and this was widely reported in the press. The boat was found aground at Puerto Madero, and the 78 year old's body was recovered from the water nearby. It seemed reasonable to assume that there had been a mishap. However, the cut-and-dried conclusion was not exactly as it seemed.

“We have learned that it was not an accident,” said John's son Jason. “It's being investigated as a murder.” The Mexican authorities and the family will not comment further at this point in the investigation, but here is what we've been told:

1. Mr. Long was a highly experienced sailor. And his family reports that the former Merchant Marine was always extremely conscious of on-board safety - including wearing a life-jacket when doing repairs.

2. Locals reported seeing several men leaving the yacht with heavy suitcases and bags.

3. The area has witnessed a number of sea-borne robberies and acts of piracy over the past 10 years.

We will continue to cover this investigation. Until and unless this is proven to have been an accident, YachtPals advises mariners to be alert to the risk of piracy in this area, and to voice your concerns to the Mexican government.

Photo: Navy sailors search the Culin that ran aground near the town of Puerto Madero, in southern Mexico, near the border with Guatemala. Photo by: Juan de Dois Garcia Davish

Read a comment about another pirate attack in Mexico here: http://yachtpals.com/boating/piracy-warnings