Man in a boat

Shortly after we arrived in Mazatlan around 6 AM, I noticed this boat coming across the bay, to cross in front of our moored ship. The man in the back was rapidly leaning down and up, as if he were rowing - but the boat had a motor that was obviously working. So what was he doing? As the boat came closer I could see that he was bailing water as fast as he could. In the photo you can see the water and the bucket. Too bad it's not a movie!