37 Suspected Migrants Rescued From Drifting Vessel, Turned Over To Border Patrol

The U.S. Coast Guard said 37 suspected migrants were rescued from a vessel adrift for two days without food or water offshore California.

On Friday, Aug. 28, at around 3:40 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach were notified over radio by the operator of a 30-foot pleasure craft that the vessel was 88 miles offshore after drifting for two days with no fuel, food, water, or personal safety equipment.

Watchstanders diverted crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Sockeye, Coast Guard Cutter Halibut, Coast Guard Station Los Angeles-Long Beach, Coast Guard Station Channel Islands, and Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point to respond.

Coast Guard crews located and boarded the vessel at around 8:30 p.m. On board, they found 37 suspected migrants.

The migrants were first rescued and transferred to Coast Guard Cutter Sockeye, which transported them to Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach. The suspected migrants were then turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.

“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, Sockeye’s officer in charge. “Despite operating far offshore in rough conditions at night, they persevered until every person in danger was rescued. Their extraordinary professionalism, superb judgment, and impeccable seamanship shined throughout the entire case.”