ORANJESTAD – Authorities in Aruba, Venezuela, and Colombia have officially ended the search for four missing fishermen and their vessel, Energy, fifteen days after their disappearance.
On Saturday, July 12, fishermen Marcelo Heyden, Jarred Croes, Davey Croes, and Aischell Tromp departed from the former Surfside Pier for what was intended to be a routine day of fishing. They were expected to return by the afternoon—but never did.
The alarm was not raised until late in the evening, which significantly hampered immediate response efforts. By that time, it was too late to deploy search boats or aircraft to the area the boat had reportedly traveled to. It later emerged that the Coast Guard had received a call from one of the fishermen earlier that day, but the message was not classified as an emergency.
Large-Scale Search Efforts
A large-scale search operation began the next morning, Sunday, July 13, with coordinated efforts from multiple agencies targeting the area of the last known signal. Despite extensive aerial and sea searches, no trace of the vessel or the men was found. The operation was paused at sunset.
Search efforts resumed on Monday, July 14, with additional support from the Curaçao Coast Guard, which deployed helicopters and surveillance planes. However, the intensified efforts once again yielded no results.
Last week, the Aruban police enlisted the help of Interpol, which issued a Yellow Notice—an international alert used to help locate missing persons. So far, the notice has not led to any breakthroughs.
A Recurrent Tragedy
Disappearance of fishermen in the Caribbean Sea is unfortunately not uncommon. In August 2024, the bodies of two missing fishermen washed ashore in Aruba after days at sea. The exact circumstances of their disappearance remain unclear.
Fishing in Caribbean waters poses serious risks, including sudden weather changes, access to remote sea areas, drug trafficking routes, and the threat of Venezuelan pirates, who have increasingly targeted small boats in the western Caribbean.
As the search comes to an end, the families of the missing fishermen are left without answers and with heavy hearts. Authorities have not ruled out continuing investigations if new information surfaces.
