Severely overloaded boat suspected of smuggling illegal immigrants capsizes in San Diego’s Point Loma waters, 3 dead, 27 people sent to hospital

On May 2, a cabin-style small yacht capsized off the coast of San Diego, California’s Point Loma, killing three people at the scene and sending 27 others to the hospital. San Diego border officials said the vessel was severely overloaded and suspected of smuggling illegal immigrants.

The accident occurred at about 10 a.m. that day in the waters west of Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma. San Diego Lifesaving Department Chief James Gartland said at a news conference that rescuers initially received reports of a boat drifting on the water. When they arrived at the scene, the vessel had hit a reef and was damaged. Three people died at the scene, and 27 others were taken to hospitals with varying degrees of injury.

Jeff Stephenson, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) San Diego, said the vessel was heavily overloaded and suspected of human smuggling. He said, “In our opinion, all indications are that this is a human smuggling vessel used to smuggle immigrants into the United States illegally.” He also said that border guards have gone to the hospital to investigate the suspected smugglers.

Officials said smuggling vessels are often overloaded with people and do not have the necessary security measures. “Ensuring personal safety at sea is our top priority,” said Capt. Timothy Barelli, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego. “The interdiction of human smuggling at sea involves as many rescues as law enforcement operations. This is because there is a significant risk of capsizing, loss of temperature and drowning.” The day was rainy and windy with high seas.

As of that afternoon, Coast Guard personnel were still searching for victims in the waters off Point Loma. The San Diego Fire Department said more than 100 emergency workers were involved in the rescue, including firefighters and lifeguards, medical personnel, the U.S. Coast Guard and other local and federal agencies.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently said there has been a surge in people smuggling activity in the waters off the San Diego coastline. Several federal agencies, including CBP, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard, have launched a joint effort to increase coastline and air patrol forces from April 30 to May 3.