The catamarans 'Friendship' and 'Tigermoth', missing for several days in the Caribbean, have safely docked at the port of Havana after being found by the Mexican Navy and escorted to Cuban shores.
The Mexican Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) announced the arrival on social media, stating: "The catamaran-type vessels 'Friendship' and 'Tigermoth' have arrived and docked safely at the port of Havana, Cuba, after being located at sea. Coordination with relevant authorities was maintained to ensure their safe arrival to port."
These sailboats departed from Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, on March 21 as part of the international humanitarian convoy 'Nuestra América,' with an expected arrival in Cuba between March 24 and 25.
Onboard were nine crew members: six men, two women, and a three-year-old child, hailing from Poland, France, the United States, and Mexico.
Rescue Operation Initiated After Schedule Disruption
When the vessels did not arrive as scheduled and communication was lost, SEMAR initiated the Plan Marina for Search and Rescue on Thursday, March 27, deploying Persuader aircraft and surface units.
The operation was conducted in collaboration with Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers in Cuba, the United States, France, and Poland.
A Mexican Navy aircraft located the sailboats on Saturday, about 80 nautical miles northwest of Havana, and after establishing radio contact with one of the captains, confirmed that all aboard were in good health.
Weather Challenges and Official Escort
The delay was attributed to adverse weather conditions, primarily headwinds, as reported by the captain to the authorities.
An SEMAR vessel proceeded to the location to provide escort and ensure safe arrival. Official images from the Navy showed one of the sailboats navigating past Castillo del Morro, at the entrance of Havana Bay, accompanied by an official vessel.
Confusion and Humanitarian Mission
The situation was marked by informational confusion: on March 27, the U.S. Coast Guard had reported the sailboats' arrival in Cuba, a claim SEMAR refuted before confirming their official discovery on Saturday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the case in a Friday morning conference: "There is a boat, a small sailboat, two vessels that are still being searched for."
The sailboats were carrying approximately 14 tons of humanitarian aid, including food items like rice, oats, and beans, medicines, hygiene products, 73 solar panels, and bicycles.
The main vessel of the convoy, named 'Granma 2.0,' arrived at Havana's port on March 24 with over fifty tons of supplies, and a fourth humanitarian shipment reached the island this Saturday.
The 'Nuestra América' Convoy, organized by Progressive International, brought together 650 delegates from 33 countries and 120 organizations, featuring personalities like former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias. This mission takes place amid Cuba's severe crisis, marked by power outages lasting up to twenty hours daily and critical shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Humanitarian Convoy to Cuba
What was the purpose of the 'Nuestra América' Convoy?
The 'Nuestra América' Convoy aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba, addressing severe shortages of essential goods like food, medicine, and fuel.
Who were some notable figures involved in the convoy?
The convoy included notable figures such as former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias, among others.
How did adverse weather impact the catamarans?
Adverse weather, including headwinds, caused delays in the catamarans' arrival in Cuba, as reported by the vessel's captain.