Coast Guard Suspends Search for 11 Missing After 89-Hour Operation Off Baja

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Sunday evening for an estimated 11 people missing off Mexico's Baja California coast after rescuing 16 survivors from the Pacific Ocean early Friday. The rescue operation began after a mayday call at approximately 1 a.m. reported a vessel with 27 people aboard taking on water about 140 miles (225 kilometers) west of Ensenada, Mexico.

When rescue crews arrived at the scene, no intact vessel was found—only debris and people in the water. Over 89 hours, the Coast Guard, working with the Mexican Navy and U.S. Navy, searched more than 6,320 square kilometers (950 square nautical miles). A Coast Guard helicopter from Ventura, a fixed-wing plane from Sacramento, and naval assets coordinated the effort. Rescue swimmers pulled the 16 people from the water, with some clinging to debris and others treading water. The rescue took approximately 90 minutes to complete.

All 16 rescued individuals were confirmed as Mexican nationals by the Mexican Consulate General in San Diego. Two were in critical condition upon arrival at San Diego hospitals; one survivor was treated for a suspected shark bite, and two others for cold exposure. Water temperature at the time was approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). The Mexican Navy also launched a search and rescue operation from Ensenada.

The vessel's exact purpose remains unclear, though Coast Guard Captain Robert Tucker stated it was following a route normally used in illegal maritime smuggling operations. The boat's type, origin, and destination were not determined. The incident occurred in waters frequented by smugglers transporting migrants, but also used for fishing and leisure activities. The Coast Guard and federal authorities launched an investigation into the incident.

The suspended search reflects a broader trend of migrants increasingly using dangerous maritime routes to avoid heavily guarded land borders. Small boats called pangas depart Baja California at night and sometimes travel hundreds of miles northward. Previous maritime incidents in the area have resulted in fatalities, including a 2023 incident where eight people died when migrant smuggling vessels capsized near San Diego during dense fog.