Coast Guard, Navy rescue 18 people from disabled vessel off San Diego coast > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases

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A Coast Guardsman watches a group of aliens line up on Coast Guard Sector San Diego

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Coast Guard, Navy rescue 18 people from disabled vessel off San Diego coast

Aliens await transfer at Coast Guard Sector San Diego, March 30, 2025. The 17 aliens and one American were rescued by the USS Spruance (DDG-111) after their vessel was spotted disabled and adrift approximately 50 miles southwest of San Diego. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Sappey)

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk lands on the flight deck of the USS Spruance

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The U.S. Coast Guard conducts operations with the USS Spruance

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 28, 2025) A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T conducts flight operations with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, March 28, 2025. U.S. Navy assets are employed under U.S. Northern Command’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and other illegal activity. U.S. Northern Command is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to augment U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the Southern border with additional military forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter)

Aliens disembark a Coast Guard Jayhawk MH-60 helicopter at Coast Guard Sector San Diego

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Coast Guard, Navy rescue 18 people from disabled vessel off San Diego coast

Aliens disembark a Coast Guard Jayhawk MH-60 helicopter at Coast Guard Sector San Diego, March 30, 2025. The 17 aliens and one American were rescued by the crew of the USS Spruance (DDG-111) after their vessel was spotted disabled and adrift approximately 50 miles southwest of San Diego. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Sappey)

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard conduct small boat operations with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) and U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Terrell Horne (WPC 1131) while underway in the Pacific Ocean

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The U.S. Coast Guard conducts operations with the USS Spruance

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 28, 2025) Members of the U.S. Coast Guard conduct small boat operations with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) and U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Terrell Horne (WPC 1131) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, March 28, 2025. U.S. Navy assets are employed under U.S. Northern Command’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and other illegal activity. U.S. Northern Command is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to augment U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the Southern border with additional military forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter)

SAN DIEGO - A Coast Guard Air Station San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) rescued 17 aliens and one American aboard a disabled and adrift vessel approximately 50 miles southwest of San Diego Sunday.

A 35–foot vessel with 18 individuals aboard was spotted in international waters taking on water and requesting assistance around 7:55 a.m.

The Spruance launched a 7-meter rigid hull inflatable boat crew to assist. The 18 individuals were rescued from the water and safely brought aboard the Spruance.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector San Diego then launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew to transport the persons from Spruance to Coast Guard Sector San Diego.

All 17 aliens and the one American were brought to Sector San Diego over two separate flights due to passenger constraints.

The 18 individuals were transferred to Department of Homeland Security partners.

Irregular maritime migration aboard unseaworthy or overloaded vessels is always dangerous, and often deadly. Do not take to the sea. You could lose your life. We remain steadfast in our commitment to saving lives and discouraging anyone from taking to the sea in ways that are unsafe and illegal.

-USCG-

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