Berkeley Man Still Missing After Baja Fishing Boat Tragedy

A Berkeley man is among seven American tourists still missing after a fishing boat capsized in Baja California's Sea of Cortez on Sunday.

The group of more than 40 fishermen and crew members woke to a heavy storm early Sunday morning, which capsized the 115-foot vessel, the Erik. More than 16 hours passed as the crew and fishermen clung to coolers, rescue rings and life vests. A total of 19 fishermen and 16 crew members were rescued from the water late Sunday. One American, Leslie Yee, has been confirmed dead. 

Brian Wong, 54, was erroneously reported dead by a local TV station in California, according to MSNBC. 

Wong, a personnel worker for Alameda County, was among a group of Bay Area men who took an annual Fourth-of-July fishing trip.  

"Every hour he's still missing, hope gets hit with reality," said Brian Wong's younger brother Gary, a survivor of the sunken fishing boat. 

Gary Wong was trained as a first responder in his job with the East Bay Municipal Water District, and has become the spokesman for the families seeking information about their loved ones.

All four Wong brothers were on the boat when it capsized. Craig, Glen, Brian and Gary Wong had taken the Baja fishing trip twice before. This time, Gary Wong was celebrating the first day of his retirement. He told the media he thought he was going to die as the storm tossed the boat.

"I thought, 'Oh my God, my first day of retirement and I go down on a boat," he said. "All that work for what? To be six feet under."

The Mexican navy and the U.S. Coast Guard have expanded their search in the Gulf of California and continued to search Wednesday. 

Are you a friend, relative or co-worker of Brian Wong? We would like to hear from you. Please contact Editor Emily Henry at emily.henry@patch.com or call (415) 215-0133.