Dozens of suspected migrants were rescued from a 30-foot pleasure boat after being stranded for two days without fuel, food or water nearly 90 miles off the Southern California coast, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Coast Guard officials said 37 suspected migrants were on board when rescue crews reached the vessel Friday about 88 miles from Channel Islands Harbor.
The operation got underway around 3:40 p.m. after the boat’s operator contacted the Coast Guard by radio to request assistance.
The Coast Guard transported the suspected migrant group to shore and transferred them to U.S. Border Patrol personnel. (U.S. Coast Guard)
According to the operator, the boat had been adrift for two days, had run out of fuel and was carrying no food, water or personal safety equipment.
The suspected migrants were adrift without fuel, food or water for two days, the Coast Guard said. (U.S. Coast Guard)
The Coast Guard sent several crews to the area, including the cutters Sockeye and Halibut, boats from stations in Los Angeles-Long Beach and Channel Islands, and an air crew.
Crews found the boat around 8:30 p.m. and brought all 37 suspected migrants aboard the Sockeye.
The 37 suspected migrants were rescued from a 30-foot pleasure craft about 90 miles off Southern California’s coast, the Coast Guard said. (U.S. Coast Guard)
“I could not be prouder of the Coast Guard crews on scene who were directly responsible for 37 lives saved last night,” said Master Chief Peter Nelson, the Sockeye’s officer in charge.
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The Coast Guard brought all 37 suspected migrants to Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach, where they were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol. (U.S. Coast Guard)
Nelson said crews carried out the rescue at night in rough conditions far from shore.
“Despite operating far offshore in rough conditions at night, they persevered until every person in danger was rescued,” Nelson said. “Their extraordinary professionalism, superb judgment, and impeccable seamanship shined throughout the entire case.”
The Sockeye brought the group to Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach, where they were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.
The Coast Guard did not say where the group was from, where the boat began its journey or where it was headed. (U.S. Coast Guard)
The Coast Guard did not immediately say where the group was from, where the boat began its journey or where it was headed.