Crime & Safety

Coast Guard Stops Boat Carrying 12 Migrants Near Point Loma

All 12 people aboard the boat were taken into custody and were en route to transfer to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol, officials said.

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U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Petrel (WPB-87350) interdicts a 25-foot sailboat with migrants off the coast of San Diego.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Petrel (WPB-87350) interdicts a 25-foot sailboat with migrants off the coast of San Diego. (U.S. Coast Guard photo taken courtesy by USCGC Petrel)

SAN DIEGO, CA — The U.S. Coast Guard stopped a sailboat carrying a dozen people off the coast of San Diego, officials announced.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection patrol aircraft and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter spotted the 25-foot vessel at 10:19 a.m. Sunday about 12 miles west of Point Loma, according to the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Cutter Petrel was notified, diverted and launched its small boat team members at 11:48 a.m. for the interdiction.

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All 12 people aboard the boat were taken into custody and were en route to transfer to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol, according to the Coast Guard. The 11 men and one woman all claimed Mexican nationality.

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