A boat working for a federal contractor sank in the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass on the morning of Wednesday, September 23, 2026, according to an eyewitness account. The boat was trying to pull about 60 to 70 water buoys along the river when its rear sank into the water, the eyewitness said.
Jesse F. Fuentes of Epi's Canoes and Kayaks said he was leading a kayaking tour on the river with Dr. Roberto R. Calderon, a retired university history professor, when the incident happened between Shelby Park and the Camino Real International Bridge. Fuentes said he recorded the sinking on video and photographs. He said the air boat was leased to a contractor installing water buoys for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security downstream from Eagle Pass.
Fuentes said a U.S. Border Patrol boat and two other contractor boats arrived within minutes and rescued the three people aboard. No one was injured. Fuentes also said the installation is a waste of federal taxpayer money and is impeding the navigability of the river. The account did not include a response from the contractor or federal agencies.