The catamarans 'Friendship' and 'Tigermoth', which had been missing for several days in the Caribbean, safely docked in the port of Havana after being located by the Mexican Navy and receiving escort to the Cuban coast.
The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) confirmed the arrival through its social media: "The catamaran vessels 'Friendship' and 'Tigermoth' arrived and docked safely at the port of Havana, Cuba, after being located at sea. Tracking and coordination with the relevant authorities were maintained for their safe arrival at the port."
Both sailboats had set sail on March 21 from Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, as part of the international humanitarian convoy 'Nuestra América', with an expected arrival in Cuba between March 24 and 25.
On board were nine crew members: six men, two women, and a three-year-old boy, of Polish, French, American, and Mexican nationalities.
Due to the failure to arrive on the established date and the loss of communication, SEMAR activated the Marina Plan on Thursday, March 27, in its Search and Rescue component, deploying Persuader-type aircraft and surface units.
The operation was coordinated with the Maritime Rescue Centers of Cuba, the United States, France, and Poland.
A Mexican Navy aircraft located both sailing boats this Saturday about 80 nautical miles northwest of Havana, and after establishing radio communication with one of the captains, it was confirmed that all crew members were in good health.
The delay was due to adverse weather conditions, mainly headwinds, as reported by the captain to the authorities.
A SEMAR vessel headed to the area to provide support and ensure a safe arrival, as shown in the official image released by the Navy, which depicts one of the sailboats sailing in front of the Castillo del Morro, at the entrance of Havana Bay, escorted by an official boat.
The episode was marked by information confusion: on March 27, the U.S. Coast Guard had reported that the sailboats had already arrived in Cuba, a claim that SEMAR denied before confirming the official location this Saturday.
The Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum had mentioned the case on Friday during her morning conference: "There is a boat, a small sailboat, two vessels that are still being searched for."
The sailboats carried approximately 14 tons of humanitarian aid, including food such as rice, oats, and beans, medications, hygiene products, 73 solar panels, and bicycles.
The main vessel of the convoy, named 'Granma 2.0', arrived at the port of Havana on March 24 with over fifty tons of supplies, and a fourth shipment of humanitarian aid also reached the island this Saturday.
The Convoy 'Our America', organized by Progressive International, brought together 650 delegates from 33 countries and 120 organizations, featuring figures like former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias, amid the severe crisis that Cuba is facing, with blackouts lasting up to twenty hours a day and critical shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
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