UPDATE: April 2, 2024 – Captain Missing
The boat is found but the young man is still missing (posted in our local San Diego group)
#Breaking: Search for young man lost at sea resumes
This Monday, the search by land, sea, and air resumed for Victor Oswaldo Villareal, who disappeared at sea last Friday when he was swept away by a water current near the Real Mediterránea housing development in Tijuana.
According to relatives, the 27-year-old rented a sailboat in #SanDiego from where he set sail for a party in the Real Mediterránea housing development in Playas de #Tijuana.
Upon reaching the destination, the young man headed to shore in a small boat that came with the sailboat, which experienced a malfunction as water entered the engine.
Later, he decided to return the sailboat to report the boat’s malfunction upon reaching shore, and he chose to swim back to the sailboat on his own. It was at that moment when he is presumed to have drowned.
Monday’s search is focused from El Vigía beach to Real del Mediterránea, involving around 40 people including firefighters, lifeguards, Civil Protection personnel, and volunteers who contributed drones for aerial search.
Victor’s family is requesting support from the public, particularly those with drones and Jet Skis, to join the search voluntarily in the Coronado, Imperial Beach, Point Loma, Tijuana, Rosarito, and Ensenada areas.
Interested individuals can call +52 661 121 5581 or +52 661 125 0814. The United States Coast Guard is already informed about this case
Broadcast Version For Maritime Mobile Service Network and Other Networks
Bolo for SV Evocative Charter San Diego to Playa Taiti Mexico
SV Evocative was chartered on March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM from San Diego, California and set to return March 30, 2024. The vessel was chartered for 24 hours with navigational limits of no further south than the Mexico border and no further north of Mission Bay (San Diego).
There are unconfirmed reports of the boat anchored off Playa Taiti roughly 6-8 miles south of the US/MX boarder along the Tijuana coastline. The boat has not returned, and family members of the skipper have not heard from him or the crew.
On board are Victor Villarreal, DOB 1/2/1997 and possibly his cousin, Joaquin. The captain is believed to have bought property around Playa Taiti.
The SV is described as a 31 foot Beneteau Oceanis.
Report any sightings of the SV to USCG San Diego or to Harbor Sailboats, Keenan Hirsh (619-291-9568)
