1 week ago
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A desperate search is underway to find a popular fishing influencer who has gone missing off the coast of Baja California.
Mikey Rijavec is the man behind the 'SD Fish and Sips' YouTube channel, which boasts 20,000 followers and chronicles his exploits on the water. But he has not been heard from since Tuesday, when he issued a mayday call.
Rijavec was said to be fishing eight miles off the coast when he sounded the alarm. His turquoise boat was found a few miles away. It was reportedly floating upside down and its engine has not been recovered.
According to NBC, Rijavec's fellow fishermen spoke to him on the phone. They were attempting to help him with engine issues before the call suddenly cut out.
The US Coast Guard, Mexican Navy and private boat owners have all helped search for the influencer. But he remains missing and his close friend fears he could have fallen victim to a whale or a shark.
'What could have happened? Oh my god, it’s endless,' Phil Friedman, a friend helping in the search, told NBC. 'It could be foul play. You never know, it’s something that happens at sea sometimes... it could be a whale, it could be a shark.'
Friedman admitted it would be a 'miracle' if Rijavec is found alive but his friends have not given up hope.
A desperate search is underway to find a popular fishing influencer who has gone missing
Mikey Rijavec, the man behind 'SD Fish and Sips,' has not been heard from since Tuesday
'The hope is that Mikey was able to get off and swim to shore - maybe he’s exhausted, unconscious, maybe he’s on shore, that is our hope,' he said. 'Stranger things have happened, there have been bigger miracles than this.'
NBC reports that the US Coast Guard has now left the hunt for Rijavec to their Mexican counterparts.
His brother Gregory, meanwhile, has launched a GoFundMe page to help continue the search. It has raised more than $40,000.
'The local fishing community has rallied a tremendous search and rescue effort to bring Mikey home safe,' Gregory said.
'We are scrambling to use all resources available including boats and aircraft. 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!'
