Fishing vessels run ashore; Mexican navy searching for one ship

Four fishing boats ran aground in South Padre Island as a result of Tropical Storm Hermine, the U.S. Coast Guard reported.

The first was the Cameron, which ended up in the Brownsville Ship Channel, near Port Isabel, Monday evening, said Petty Officer Prentice Danner.

The SPI Fire Department responded and made sure that the crew was all right. No injuries were reported. Later, when currents freed the vessel, it was able to make its way back to deeper waters.

Later Monday night, the Don Pesca 67 and the Geraldo 1, which were tied together, began taking in water and ended up on a sandbar about 200 yards from the jetties at Isla Blanca Park, Danner said. A 33-foot response boat was dispatched to secure the 10 crew members from the ships, who were treated for minor injuries. Both ships remain grounded, with beach-goers on Tuesday stopping to take pictures.

The fourth ship, the Acer 2, ran aground at approximately 1 a.m. more than a mile north of the jetties near Beach Access No. 5.

According to a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard, a beach rescue team from South Padre Island was dispatched to rescue the crew of seven and one dog. They were all treated for minor injuries.

The three ships were expected to head out once the current would allow them to reach deeper waters.

Because of the incoming storm Monday morning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection declared the Port of Brownsville as a safe harbor. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 50 to 70 Mexican vessels sought refuge from the storm.

The Mexican navy said Tuesday that search parties continue to look for one fishing vessel. The ship, which has six crew members, was trying to make its way to the port of Matamoros when it went missing.