The U.S. Coast Guard recently rescued dozens of individuals suspected of being migrants from a 30-foot pleasure craft. The vessel had been stranded for two days, lacking fuel, food, or water, approximately 90 miles off the Southern California coast. The rescue took place near Channel Islands Harbor.
A total of 37 people were onboard the boat when Coast Guard crews arrived late Friday afternoon. The operation began following a distress call from the boat’s operator to the Coast Guard at around 3:40 p.m.
The stranded vessel had been drifting without essential supplies and lacked personal safety equipment, creating a dire situation for those aboard.
The Coast Guard responded by deploying multiple teams, comprising the cutters Sockeye and Halibut, as well as boats from stations in Los Angeles-Long Beach and Channel Islands. Additionally, an air crew was involved in the search and rescue mission.
By 8:30 p.m., crews located the distressed boat and safely transferred all 37 individuals to the cutter Sockeye. The group was then taken to the Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach, where they were handed over to U.S. Border Patrol.
Master Chief Peter Nelson, in charge of the Sockeye, praised the Coast Guard teams for their efforts, stating, “I could not be prouder of the Coast Guard crews on scene who were directly responsible for 37 lives saved last night.” He highlighted the team’s extraordinary professionalism and judgment in challenging offshore conditions.
Details about the group’s origin, departure point, or intended destination were not disclosed by the Coast Guard.