Families Of Missing Bay Area Fishemen Refuse To Give Up Hope

SAN RAMON (KCBS) – The families of seven missing Bay Area fishermen are not giving up hope of finding their lost loved ones even after the latest search for their capsized boat came up empty.

The charter boat Erik capsized in early July off the Baja California coast. Most of the passengers and crew were rescued but seven Bay Area fishermen, taking their annual fishing trip, remain missing.

KCBS' Bob Butler Reports:

"In spite of the amount of time that has lapsed, we are still wanting to continue the search," said Mae Lee, wife of missing Don Lee of San Ramon.

Lee said they have a petition to ask U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to let the military help in the search.

"We want to make sure that no man is left behind," Lee said. "Because three of the (missing) were vets."

The problem is that no one really knows where the Erik sank. The families have already paid for one private search that came up empty. So now, they're holding fundraisers to raise $300,000 for a new search.

"It is a lot of money, but guess what? That's not going to discourage us," Lee said. "We're not going to let money get in the way."

The families have a website – www.findourfathers.com – which profiles the missing fishermen and provides information on fundraising efforts.

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