According to officials with the U.S. Coast Guard, the three American sailors who went missing off the coast of Mexico likely faced “significant” weather on their way to San Diego from Mazatlán.
U.S. Coast Guard commander Gregory Higgins shared with ABC News his concerns for the crew, Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien, and William Gross, and what they likely faced as severe weather hit the area they were last seen around April 6.
Higgins said that the region they were believed to be in likely saw waves reach more than 20 feet high.
The three Americans were sailing a capable 41-foot fiberglass boat and were last heard from on April 4, authorities shared.
While it is possible that the sailors faced extreme weather conditions, it isn’t exactly known what they experienced, as maritime authorities don’t have clear information about their location due to the lack of GPS tracking and poor cellular service near the Baja peninsula.
The Coast Guard has retraced what they believe to be the trio’s steps, sharing that they think the group departed from Mexico on April 4 and were believed to be headed to Cabo San Lucas.
However, officials do not believe they ever stopped in the city, as the ship was never seen there, and no vessels have spotted it in the Baja peninsula area.
“We know that they did not arrive in Cabo San Lucas, nor have there been any sightings of the vessel after (April 4) when they left Mazatlán,” Higgins said to FOX 5.
In the area, wind gusts reached up to 30 knots on April 6, as Higgins said the conditions most likely made travel and navigation more challenging for the Americans.
While the Coast Guard continues to search for the three missing sailors, the families of those lost at sea are hoping for the best news possible.
Melissa Spicuzza, the daughter of William Gross, shared with ABC7 that her father was hired by the O’Briens, a married couple, to help navigate their journey, which was initially supposed to be 10 days. But now, 14 days later, Spicuzza says she’s hoping for the three to be found safe.
“It’s just been a roller coaster of emotions the last several days; I want my dad home, I want him safe, [and] I want the O’Brien’s home safe,” Spicuzza said. “I’m very much looking forward to sitting around a table with all of them and joking about the time they got lost at sea - that is the hope.”
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