16 suspected illegal immigrants adrift in boat rescued off the Southern California coast

October 2, 2010 | 1:18 pm


The Navy and Coast Guard teamed up Friday to rescue 16 suspected illegal immigrants adrift in a small boat about 40 miles off the Southern California coast, officials said Saturday.

The crew of the amphibious assault ship Boxer saw the immigrants at about noon waving their arms to signal distress. Those on the small boat said it had lost power about 10 p.m. Thursday.

Notified by the Boxer, the Coast Guard dispatched the cutter Petrel, which took the boat in tow and brought it into the harbor at Oceanside. The 16 people aboard were taken into custody Friday night by the U.S. Border Patrol.

Capt. Thomas Farris, commander of the Coast Guard's San Diego sector, said the Boxer's crew "likely saved the lives of those aboard an ill equipped vessel trying to enter the country illegally."

-- Tony Perry

Photo: Coast Guard members from cutter Petrel assist 16 suspected illegal immigrants adrift in boat. In background, Navy's amphibious assault ship Boxer, which first spotted the boat. Credit: Coast Guard

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Great picture @

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