Coast Guard, Mexican Navy searching for missing Murrysville native, 2 others

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Monday, April 17, 2023 10:30 p.m. | Monday, April 17, 2023 10:30 p.m.

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Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

Missing Americans Frank O’Brien, left, and Kerry O’Brien. The two Americans, joined by William Gross, were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel ‘Ocean Bound,’ and have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlan, Mexico, according to the Coast Guard.

Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

This photo provided by the U.S Coast Guard shows the 44-foot sailing vessel ‘Ocean Bound.’

Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

This photo provided by the U.S Coast Guard on April 14, 2023, shows the 44-foot (13.5 meter) sailing vessel ‘Ocean Bound.’

MEXICO CITY — The Mexican Navy said Monday it is using ships and a plane to search for three Americans, one of which is a Murrysville native, who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast.

The Navy said it is using four patrol boats and a twin-engine prop airplane to search the area, but apparently no sign of the missing people has turned up.

The three Americans were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel “Ocean Bound.” The U.S. Coast Guard gave their names as Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien, and William Gross.

The trio are “experienced sailors,” according to a joint statement from their families. Gross has over 50 years of sailing experience, while wife and husband Kerry and Frank O’Brien each have 20 years’ experience and a captain’s license with the Coast Guard.

A desperate search is underway for three Americans feared lost in the waters off Mexico.

Frank and Kerry O’Brien along with their friend William Gross have been missing for 13 days.@Miguelnbc has the latest updates: https://t.co/DFKZ4htUSa

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) April 18, 2023

On the day the boat was last seen, local conditions on the ocean were “rough,” U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Levi Reed said. Winds were around 34 mph with ocean waves of 15 to 20 feet, Reed said.

They have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlán, Mexico. The three had planned to stop for supplies in the Baja resort town of Cabo San Lucas, before proceeding to San Diego.

However, the Coast Guard said marinas in Baja California have not reported seeing the vessel.