Coast Guard Rescues 16 From Pacific Off Baja — Search Underway for 11 More After Suspected Smuggling Boat Sinks
The U.S. Coast Guard pulled at least 16 people from the Pacific Ocean in the predawn hours Friday and was still searching for up to 11 others after a vessel sank in waters about 140 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico — a stretch of ocean well known as a corridor for maritime human smuggling into California.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Diego received a radio distress call at approximately 1 a.m. Friday reporting a vessel taking on water, according to the Coast Guard. When rescue crews arrived, there was no vessel to be found — only debris and people in the water.
"There was no sight of a vessel in the water, just people in the water," Petty Officer Chris Sappey told the Associated Press. One person pulled from the ocean said as many as 27 people had been aboard the boat.
Sixteen people were rescued and transported to Coast Guard Sector San Diego, where emergency medical personnel transferred them to local hospitals for evaluation. Three were taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego — including one person being treated for a suspected shark bite and two suffering from cold exposure, a hospital spokesperson said. Two of the rescued were confirmed to be Mexican nationals; the nationalities of the others were not immediately released.
By the time crews reached the scene, survivors were clinging to each other and floating debris, treading water in the dark to stay alive, Coast Guard Lt. Santiago Tamburini said.
The Coast Guard described the vessel as traveling a route "normally used in illegal maritime smuggling operations."
"This case highlights the extreme dangers of taking to the sea," said Capt. Robert Tucker, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Diego. "The vessel had a large number of people onboard and was following a route normally used in illegal maritime smuggling operations. Offshore conditions are unforgivable and can quickly result in death."
The search is being coordinated by Sector San Diego with crews from Air Station Ventura, Air Station Sacramento, and the Coast Guard Cutter Active. The Navy's USS Kingsville and a helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 are also assisting, and the Coast Guard is working alongside Mexican authorities. Two helicopters, a fixed-wing aircraft, and a cutter were assigned to the effort. The Coast Guard said the search-and-rescue operation remained ongoing Friday, with more information to be released as it becomes available.
Migrants are increasingly turning to dangerous sea routes offered by smugglers to avoid heavily guarded land borders, including along the California coast. Small boats known as pangas often leave Mexico under cover of darkness and travel hundreds of miles north.
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