San Diego, California — A desperate search is underway for a 40-year-old man and his 12-year-old nephew who disappeared during a fishing trip off Baja California, as Mexican authorities and the family continue efforts to find the missing pair.
Oscar Ulloa and his nephew, Adrian Caro Villares, reportedly headed out to sea from the San Felipe area early Saturday morning, expecting to spend only a few hours fishing. However, neither has been heard from since their departure, and concerns have grown as search teams cover a vast stretch of the Upper Gulf of California.
The disappearance occurred as Tropical Storm Rachel brought severe weather to the Baja California peninsula, raising questions about what may have happened to the boat.
Who Are the Two People Missing at Sea?
Ulloa, 40, and his 12-year-old nephew were reportedly on a fishing trip when they vanished off the coast of Mexico.
According to comments shared by the family, the outing was expected to be relatively short. The sudden loss of contact has left relatives waiting for answers while rescue crews continue searching the surrounding waters.
Alister Barradell, Ulloa’s cousin, described the situation as frightening, particularly because a child is among the missing.
“It’s pretty scary and traumatizing to know there’s a kid with him lost at sea,” Barradell told NBC San Diego.
The family has not received confirmed information explaining why the pair disappeared. Investigators have not established whether the boat experienced mechanical trouble, encountered dangerous waves or suffered another emergency.
Storm Conditions Raise Questions About What Happened
The disappearance coincided with Tropical Storm Rachel moving across the Baja California peninsula, bringing destructive winds and severe flooding to parts of the region.
The storm reportedly contributed to conditions that killed at least eight people in the area, underscoring the seriousness of the weather surrounding the disappearance.
Barradell said the family was uncertain whether the boat experienced engine problems or something more catastrophic after the weather deteriorated.
“During that time, the weather did turn bad, so we’re not sure if we had engine problems or something more catastrophic,” he added.
Although the timing has raised concerns about the possible effects of the storm, authorities have not confirmed what caused the vessel to disappear.
Mexican Authorities Search Nearly 10,000 Square Nautical Miles
Mexican naval authorities and civil protection units have launched a large-scale search-and-rescue operation in the Upper Gulf of California.
Vice Admiral Juan Carlos Vera Minjares confirmed that six naval units, including coastal patrol boats and a specialized search aircraft, had participated in the operation.
According to the reported figures, search crews have covered more than 9,900 square nautical miles while looking for signs of the missing boat and its occupants.
During the search, crews reportedly spotted a cooler and a life jacket floating in the water. However, officials have not confirmed whether either item belonged to Ulloa’s vessel.
The discovery has not yet provided a confirmed breakthrough, leaving the circumstances surrounding the disappearance unresolved.
Family Hires Private Aircraft to Help Search
As the official operation continues, Ulloa’s relatives have organized additional efforts to locate the missing pair.
The family has hired a private aircraft to assist search teams from above, hoping an aerial view could help identify the boat, floating debris or other possible clues.
Relatives are also appealing to fishermen and residents along the northern Sea of Cortez to remain alert and report anything that might help investigators.
“We’re praying that he’s out there and we really want to reach out to anyone who has family in the northern Sea of Cortez that could keep an eye out,” Barradell said.
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The appeal reflects the family’s continuing hope that someone in the area may have information that could help locate Ulloa and his nephew.
Search Continues as Family Awaits Answers
The search for Ulloa and Adrian remains ongoing, with authorities continuing efforts across the waters where the pair disappeared.
For the family, the lack of confirmed information has made the wait especially difficult. The reported sightings of a cooler and life jacket have not been definitively connected to the missing vessel, and the cause of the disappearance remains unknown.
Officials have not confirmed the pair’s whereabouts or released a definitive explanation of what happened during the fishing trip.
As rescue efforts continue, the family is asking anyone who may have seen the boat or noticed unusual activity in the northern Sea of Cortez to contact the appropriate authorities.
Do you have family or friends near San Felipe or the northern Sea of Cortez? Share this report to help spread awareness, and leave a comment with your thoughts as the search for the uncle and his young nephew continues.
