# Maritime rescue of fishermen in Mexico > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maritime-rescue-of-fishermen-in-mexico > Updated: 2026-08-24T22:34:00.000Z. Sources: 96. Developments: 4. The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) successfully rescued two fishermen, José Luis Portelas Villegas and Daniel Guerrero Martínez, who survived five days at sea. The men departed from Paredón, Chiapas, on August 13 aboard the vessel ‘Camaronera’, but communication was lost the following day. Following a request for assistance from a fishing cooperative, the Navy deployed an aircraft, an interceptor vessel, and a ship to locate them using a ‘trinomio’ strategy. The fishermen were found approximately 130 nautical miles (240 kilometers) off the coast of Chiapas, near the maritime border with Guatemala, using a cooler for flotation. They were recovered by an oceanic patrol and transported via helicopter to Puerto Chiapas for medical evaluation. Reports indicate that the vessel ‘Camaronera’ sank on the morning of August 16 due to a heavy wave. The survivors, aged 32 and 53, received medical attention for dehydration and exhaustion before being reunited with their families. Recent reports confirm the fishermen were found clinging to a blue cooler after their boat sank at approximately 3:00 AM. Details regarding the shipwreck emphasize that the suddenness of the event left the men without food, drinking water, or communication equipment. To stay afloat, they emptied a large blue cooler and used it as a makeshift raft while enduring intense sun exposure. Additional details indicate they also utilized gasoline cans to help maintain balance while drifting in the Pacific Ocean. ## Claims - The two fishermen, aged 35 and 53, survived for five days inside a cooler. (disputed by 22 sources) - The rescued fishermen are aged 53 and 32. (disputed by 3 sources) - The Mexican Navy used ships, aircraft, and a helicopter to conduct the rescue operation. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The shipwreck occurred around 3:00 AM when a wave hit the vessel. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Two fishermen were rescued after spending five days adrift in the Pacific Ocean. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The survivors had no access to food, drinking water, or a radio during their ordeal. (corroborated by 11 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Mexican fishermen rescued after five days adrift in the Pacific Two Mexican fishermen survived five days adrift in the Pacific Ocean, using a cooler as a makeshift raft before being rescued by the Mexican Navy near the coast of Chiapas. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-fishermen-rescued-after-five-days-adrift-in-the-pacific-1 ### 2026-08-22: Mexican fishermen rescued after five days adrift in Pacific Ocean Two Mexican fishermen survived five days adrift in the Pacific Ocean by clinging to a cooler before being rescued by the Mexican Navy 240 km off the coast of Chiapas. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-fishermen-rescued-after-five-days-adrift-in-pacific-cooler ### 2026-08-19: Mexican Navy rescues fishermen and Cuban migrants at sea The Mexican Navy rescued two fishermen who survived five days on a cooler in the Pacific and located a boat of Cuban migrants near Yucatán after they went missing for over a week. 72 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-navy-rescues-two-fishermen-found-at-sea-near-chiapas ### 2026-08-12: Fishermen and authorities rescue minors adrift on paddle boards Fishermen in Mexico and the Guardia Civil in Spain successfully rescued minors who were swept out to sea on paddle boards due to strong currents and wind. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baha-de-kino-firefighters-rescue-two-men-stranded-by-tides --- Cite as: Maritime rescue of fishermen in Mexico. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maritime-rescue-of-fishermen-in-mexico