Coasties Prevent 'Internation Incident' with Mexico

...It all started when the 46-foot sport-fishing boat Senor Hefe chugged out of San Diego at three in the morning ... and blundered into an improperly lit, circular tuna "cage" net being towed by a Mexican commercial fishing boat. Though not seriously damaged, Senor Hefe's crew found itself trapped in a ring of metal bars, in international waters. "We all think were in some sort of crazy dream," one fisherman recalled.

The Mexican fishermen were powerless to help, so the Americans radioed the Coast Guard. But before the Coasties could arrive, a Mexican Navy patrol boat appeared (pictured), its crew wielding Uzis and bad attitudes. Mexican sailors started cutting away portions of the cage, preparing to board Senor Hefe -- a big no-no in international waters. ...