A few days ago, my group and I walked along the path to the summit of Tagus Cove on Isabela Island. I had previously seen the cross at the top, which stands at the end of 120 steps, overlooking Darwin Lake. As in years past, the cross remained intact, but this time I had a mission: to photograph the cross and the plaque affixed to it. The salt breeze had corroded the metal, but with a little water to moisten the plaque, I was finally able to decipher its text, albeit with some difficulty.

The plaque honors Andy Marino, a crew member of the American commercial fishing vessel Princess Pat, which sank on June 12, 1953. According to the United States Coast Guard, the vessel suffered an undetermined structural failure while operating approximately 30 miles off the southeast coast of Tortuga Islet, despite not being overloaded.

In November 1952, the Princess Pat capsized and sank within minutes, leaving sailor Andy Marino with no option to escape. It was a dark night, with an overcast sky and calm seas. Testimony from officers and crew revealed that Andrew hesitated to jump overboard at the captain's command. Moments after entering the water, witnesses heard him shout for help, but the captain and crew could offer only words of encouragement, each preoccupied with their own survival. Seconds later, the vessel sank into deep water, and it is believed Andrew Marino went down with it.

Some crew members, while swimming away from the Princess Pat, searched for something to hold onto. They found a small skiff, which was used to rescue the remaining crew, but Andy Marino was nowhere to be found. A search ensued, but was ultimately unsuccessful. As daylight broke, the crew rowed for approximately eleven hours toward Essex Point in the Galapagos Islands. Eventually, four commercial fishing vessels from the Galapagos provided food and clothing for the survivors, who returned to the United States aboard the fishing vessel Victoria.

IN MEMORY OF MY
DEAR BROTHER
ANDY MARINO
WHO WAS LOST AT SEA
OFF OF TORTUGA ISLAND NOVEMBER 29 1952.
WHERE HE WAS NEVER FOUND.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
I HAVE COMFORT MY
DEAR BROTHER TO FIND YOU
AND SHALL BE IN PEACE AND
GOD BLESS YOU. YOUR LOVING
FAMILY WHO CAN'T COME
HERE TO SAY ANYTHING. THEY
SAY GOD BLESS YOU. BE HAPPY
WITH YOUR SISTER. I CAME TO
SEE YOU ON JULY 30, 53. THIS IS
FROM BROTHER CARL WHO
YOU HIT SO HARD WHEN WE LOST
YOU ALL OUR LOVE GOD
BLESS YOU.
BROTHER CARL

In July 1953, Carl Marino traveled to the Galapagos to honor his brother Andy, setting up a dedication plaque attached to a white cross, supported by several rocks, giving it the appearance of a tomb. This cross remains visible to visitors at Tagus Cove, and those who approach can observe the inscription, despite its challenges in readability. Today, we pay tribute to a beloved brother, hoping that Andy's soul rests in peace forever.