UFO spotted in the Gulf of Mexico in 1962

Summary

In December 1962, a crew member aboard the merchant vessel *Cervis* reported an unidentified object in the Gulf of Mexico. The sighting occurred near the coordinates 25.5N 85.4W at 04:03:45 UTC. The witness described an object with a bright vapor trail ascending in a southerly direction. The object was first seen at 15 degrees above the horizon and disappeared later at 30 degrees, indicating an increase in elevation. Despite the detailed description, investigators concluded there was insufficient data to determine its nature. No photographs were taken and the duration of the sighting was not recorded, limiting further analysis.

The report was classified under Project 10073 and distributed to multiple military and intelligence agencies, including NORAD, SAC, and the Navy. Although several possibilities such as balloons, aircraft, or astronomical phenomena were considered, no definitive conclusion was reached. This case exemplifies how UFO reports were handled at the time, with an operational focus and no conclusive findings released.