A group of researchers from the University of California, Davis, were involved in a boating tragedy in Mexico's Sea of Cortez Sunday. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, four bodies have been recovered, three people have been rescued and at least two remain missing. Names of the missing and dead have not been released pending notification of family members. Participating in the routine research expedition were Gary Polis, chair of the Department of Environmental Science and Policy; several UC Davis students; and a group of visiting scholars from Japan. The researchers were studying the ecology of spiders and scorpions that inhabit the islands of the Sea of Cortez. "Needless to say, we are very concerned for these researchers and their families. Everything possible is being done to facilitate the search for possible survivors," said UC Davis Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhof. "Senator Feinstein is assisting in our attempts to permit the U.S. Coast Guard to cooperate with the Mexican Navy in these efforts." Two 22-foot open, inflatable research boats left the town of Pueblo de Bajia de Los Angeles, about 300 nautical miles south of San Diego, Calif., Sunday morning to conduct research on Isla de Cabeza de Caballo, located about 4 nautical miles off shore. Both boats headed back to port mid-day, but became separated when the wind whipped up four-to-six foot waves. When the crew of one boat arrived at port and realized the other vessel had not yet arrived, it returned to search for that boat. The boat was reported missing to officials in Mexico at 10:30 p.m. Sunday night. Several survivors were discovered on the Isla de Los Gemelos. They reported that their boat had begun to take on water. When it became apparent the boat was sinking, they and their companions began swimming for land, the survivors said. Because the incident occurred in Mexico's territorial waters, the search-and-rescue effort is being conducted by the Mexican Navy using a helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft and high-speed boat. The U.S. Coast Guard is requesting permission to assist in the search by air. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office is also working with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City to assist in the search efforts, and to assure the safe return of all those who took part in the expedition. The News Service will update this advisory as more news becomes available.