Early Sunday morning, the Coast Guard thwarted an attempt by a small boat carrying 12 individuals, suspected of being unauthorized migrants, from reaching the shores of Mission Bay. According to a release from the U.S. Coast Guard, the incident occurred approximately 27 miles southwest of Mission Bay when the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward received notice of an unidentified vessel encroaching upon U.S. waters around 2:30 AM.
The Robert Ward dispatched a boarding team to the 20-foot panga boat after watch standers at Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center had been alerted of its presence, during these pre-dawn hours, the boarding team tried to establish control over the vessel, which then attempted to evade the authorities, leading to a pursuit where the Coast Guard crew fired several rounds to disable the boat's engine which brought the chase to an end. The individuals on the boat were accused of trying to flee, and they did not comply with initial instructions from the Coast Guard, which necessitated the use of force to ensure compliance and secure the vessel.
No injuries were reported in the course of the interdiction. The 12 people found on board were confirmed to have sustained no harm during the operation, as the Coast Guard team successfully halted their passage to the United States. Among those detained, 11 claimed Mexican nationality and one reported being from El Salvador. The group was subsequently handed over to another Department of Homeland Security agency at Ballast Point as per the procedural protocols in such incidents.
