SW-INC-0207SeaWise Incidents

Maserra - Three Canadians' yacht lost power off Los Cabos; the Mexican Navy towed them in

The sailboat Maserra suffered mechanical failure and lost the ability to navigate about 32 miles off San José del Cabo; the Navy reached the three crew, found them well, and towed the boat to a safe port.

verified · 1 sourceN
Vessel
MaserraSailing yacht
When
2026North Pacific
Crew
3 aboardAll survived
Outcome
Returned safely
Position
About 32 nm off San José del Cabo, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Sea area
off Los Cabos · Baja California Sur
Coordinates
22.90°N, -109.70°WApproximate position
Summary

What happened.

On 26 May 2026, the sailing yacht Maserra, with three Canadians aboard, suffered mechanical failures and lost the ability to navigate about 32 nautical miles off San José del Cabo, in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The Mexican Navy located the boat, found the three crew in good health, and towed the disabled yacht to a safe port.

Early on Tuesday 26 May 2026, the sailing yacht Maserra was about 32 nautical miles — roughly 60 kilometres — off San José del Cabo, at the southern tip of Baja California Sur, Mexico, with three Canadians aboard, when she suffered mechanical failures and was left without the ability to navigate. The crew raised the alarm, and the Mexican Navy responded: a rescue vessel from the Cabo San Lucas naval sector and the ENSAR Los Cabos search-and-rescue station located the drifting yacht and confirmed that the three people aboard were in good health. With the boat unable to make way under her own power, the Navy took her under tow and brought her to a safe port, ending the risk of her drifting in the offshore traffic and weather. No one was hurt.

ConditionsEarly Tuesday 26 May 2026, about 32 nautical miles (≈60 km) off San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur. The sailing yacht Maserra, with three Canadians aboard, suffered mechanical failures and was left without the ability to navigate. The Mexican Navy (the Cabo San Lucas naval sector and the ENSAR Los Cabos search-and-rescue station) located the boat, confirmed the three crew were in good health, and towed the disabled yacht to a safe port.
SeaWise noteA breakdown that strands a sailing boat offshore is a reminder that the rig is meant to be the backup, not just the engine. When the Maserra lost the ability to navigate, three people went from cruising to drifting in open water. Keep sails and self-steering ready to take over when machinery fails, carry spares and the know-how to jury-rig, and keep the means to call for help — a calm tow beats a long drift toward trouble.
Lessons learned

What it teaches.

  • 1
    A mechanical failure can leave even a sailboat unable to navigate — have a backup. The Maserra lost the ability to make way offshore and needed a tow. Keep your rig and self-steering ready to sail if the engine quits, carry spares and tools, and know how to jury-rig a solution rather than simply drift.
    engine failure loss of steering
  • 2
    Call for help early and stay findable while you wait. The Maserra's three crew were located and towed because they raised the alarm in good time. Carry a VHF, a registered beacon and AIS, report your position and problem clearly, and keep clear of hazards while you drift until help reaches you.
    communications rescue
Sources

Where this comes from.

News· Central & North America sailing newsMarina brinda apoyo a velero varado con tres canadienses a bordo en Baja California SurVisit ↗

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From SeaWise

Procedures involved.

Procedure

Loss of engine

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Engine failureNorth Pacific
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Record IDSW-INC-0207
Curated bySeaWise editorial
Confidenceverified · 1 source
Record typeIncident

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