Boat drifted for 3 days; 12 detained
Boat drifted for 3 days; 12 detained
Written by Susan Shroder
7:53 p.m., Sept. 4, 2012
OCEANSIDE — A disabled boat carrying 12 undocumented immigrants drifted for three days before being spotted near Oceanside Harbor, the U.S. Border Patrol said Tuesday.
The operator of a private boat spotted the disabled 24-foot Skipjack pleasure vessel about 11 a.m. Monday taking on water off the Oceanside coast, Border Patrol spokesman Jerry Conlin said.
The operator towed the vessel partway, and Oceanside Harbor Police then towed the disabled boat into the harbor.
Border Patrol agents determined the disabled boat had left Rosarito Beach on Friday and was headed for Long Beach. After the boat developed problems, the navigator radioed an accomplice for assistance. The accomplice arrived in a small boat, picked up the navigator and indicated help would be sent.
Assistance never arrived and the captain and 11 passengers were left adrift for three days, Conlin said.
The four women and eight men were all found to be Mexican citizens. They were turned over to the Border Patrol.
Boat drifted for 3 days; 12 detained | UTSanDiego.com
