Coast Guard Chases Fishing Boat Back to Mexico
By Steve Sinclair, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas
Apr. 14–A U.S. Coast Guard boat chased a Mexican launch illegally fishing in U.S. waters back to Mexican waters early Sunday afternoon, according to a Coast Guard spokesman.
A Coast Guard patrol jet observed a flotilla of three launches, each about 23 to 25 feet in length. Two were practically stradling the border and the third was 500 yards inside U.S. territory, about seven miles offshore, the spokesman said.
The U.S. observes a 12-mile territorial jurisdiction.
The patrol aircraft contacted the South Padre Island Coast Guard station shortly before noon. The Coast Guard responded with a 33-foot special purpose boat.
Once the Mexican launch spotted the Coast Guard vessel, it headed back to Mexican waters at a high rate of speed, the spokesman said. U.S. Coast Guard vessels are not allowed to enter Mexican waters.
There was no verbal communication between the Coast Guard vessel and the launch.
It was not certain how long the Mexican vessel had been in U.S. waters or whether the other two launches had crossed into U.S. jurisdiction.
The launches were using long-line fishing tech-niques.
When asked if the launch crew knew they were fishing in U.S. waters, Coast Guard Petty Officer David Cantu said “They knew enough to run back to Mexico.”
If fishing boats from other countries are 500 yards or more inside U.S. territorial waters, the Coast Guard is allowed to seize their catches and boats. Otherwise, they are warned.
In addition, the SPI Coast Guard station responded to a call for assistance from a recreational boat that was taking on water close to the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge at 11:23 p.m. Saturday.
The Coast Guard towed the boat to Sea Ranch Marina on the Island while pumping water from it.
There were three passengers aboard the boat and no injuries were reported.
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Copyright (c) 2008, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas
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