SD Fish and Sips (Mikey Rijavec) Missing at Sea

[Norcal_Roots]

On November 11, my brother Mikey who many also know from his YouTube channel SD Fish and Sips issued a mayday call from his solo skiff at 3:00pm off the coast of Baja California. Luckily, along with US and Mexican authorities, the local fishing community has rallied a tremendous search and rescue effort to bring Mikey home safe. We are scrambling to use all resources available including boats and aircraft.

CURRENT STATUS ? SEARCH FOR MIKEY (LOST AT SEA NEAR BAH?A ASUNCI?N, BAJA SUR)

Mikey issued a MAYDAY call at ~8:00 AM local time yesterday when he was approx. 8 miles offshore from Bah?a Asunci?n, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Danny (older brother) has been in contact with:

• U.S. Coast Guard, who confirmed the case and are coordinating with SEMAR (Mexican Navy / Coast Guard).
  
• SEMAR headquarters in Mexico City, who confirmed they are actively handling the rescue.
  
• U.S. Embassy, who logged the case and will relay updates.
  
• Moraga Police Department, who contacted AT&T to request the last phone location; AT&T reported no pings in the last 24 hours. Moraga PD later informed Danny they are not able to provide further assistance.
  
• Danny accessed Mikey?s iCloud, but the device currently shows offline.

ON-SCENE SEARCH OPERATIONS:

• 2 Navy fast interceptor boats searching from Cedros Island southward.
  
• Mexican Navy aircraft en route from Ensenada.
  
• Navy drone has flown multiple missions; attempting to push further offshore.
  
• Another interceptor launched from Cabo.
  
• Large Coast Guard cutter inbound from Cedros (approx. 40 miles away).
  
• Over 30 local boats already searching every possible zone.
  
• 2 long-range radar systems deployed on the coastline (Point Asunci?n + Punta Prieta).
  
• Private aircraft (plane + helicopter) have been offered and are on standby.
  
• Local community is fully mobilized ? ?half the town is out searching.?

Bottom line:
A major, multi-agency full-scale search is underway involving the Mexican Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, air assets, drones, radar systems, and the entire local fleet/community.

Mikey got his start in this community and I wanted to let you all know what was happening. In order to escalate this effort we are welcoming donations to cover the cost of gas and pilots. Good vibes to Mikey and stay positive!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-s...-fish-and-sips

[monstahfish]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. I hope he is found safe quickly. At least he was able to make a mayday call and so many resources have been brought in to find him. Please keep us updated and we will keep him in our thoughts.

[MITCHELL]

I would definitely have my gaco oar-locks from Australia and my custom made oars. I use them all the time to troll with. You are crazy if you rely on only one power source in a solo skiff. Plus they help stabilize you I can spin on a dime. Prays go out to Mikey and family.
Not sure what using a paddle is like in a solo skiff.
I've done 4mph with my oars
Plus your locked in.

[FoodGeekFish]

For those not following the GoFundMe, Mikey's body was found in the water off of San Cristobal.

RIP, FishnSips

[SDROB]

Damn! I met Mikey in Baja through a trip we setup here on BWE about 10 years ago. Our last convo a few months back was he was going all in on fishing. He did what he loved!

RIP homie. You will be missed

[monstahfish]

So sorry to hear that. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Please everyone make sure to go out with a buddy and have all the right safety equipment and always wear your pfd. There are gps locator beacons available for a very reasonable price that fit in your pfd pocket and PLBs don't require a subscription, just a new battery every 5 years and a simple registration that can be done online for free. None of us are invincible and you never know when things could go sideways fast.

[MITCHELL]

A PFD When they found him. I have noticed a lot of the younger guys take them off or don't have one.

[MITCHELL]

I was in 50? water and I saw 2 adults and 2 children in a canoe on a lake in the serras I watched them before I couldn't take it anymore so I pulled up to the guy and said politely you would sure make me feel better if you had some life jackets on those kids way under 10yrs old.
After that he moves closer to shore and I didn't see him after that you should do the same.

[MITCHELL]

God knows how they give away our tax dollars.