Coast Guard rescues 15 aliens from disabled vessel off San Diego coast

Aliens disembark from a Jayhawk MH-60 as U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection personnel standby.

Aliens disembark from a U.S. Coast Guard Jayhawk MH-60 helicopter at Sector San Diego, March 11, 2025. The aliens were rescued after their vessel was disabled 60 miles southwest of San Diego. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Sappey)

Aliens, bundled in blankets for warmth, sit in the hangar at Sector San Diego.

Coast Guard rescues 15 aliens from disabled vessel off San Diego coast

Aliens await transfer to U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody at Coast Guard Sector San Diego, March 11, 2025. The aliens were rescued by a Coast Guard Jayhawk MH-60 helicopter crew after their vessel was disabled 60 miles southwest of San Diego. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Sappey)

Visual from camera onboard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter showing the rescue swimmers assisting the aliens aboard the disabled vessel.

Coast Guard rescues 15 aliens from disabled vessel off San Diego coast

U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers assist aliens aboard a disabled vessel off the coast of San Diego, March 11, 2025. All 15 passengers were safely hoisted onto an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and brought to Sector San Diego to be transferred to Customs and Border Protection custody. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)

Coast Guard rescues 15 aliens from disabled vessel off San Diego coast

A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew hoists aliens 60 miles off the shore of San Diego, March 11, 2025. All 15 aliens were rescued and safely transferred to Customs and Border Protection custody. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy asset)

/ Published March 12, 2025

SAN DIEGO — A Coast Guard Air Station San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued 15 aliens aboard an adrift vessel approximately 60 miles southwest of San Diego, Tuesday.

Two Coast Guard rescue swimmers were deployed to bring the aliens aboard the helicopter.

All 15 aliens were safely hoisted and brought back to Sector San Diego over two separate flights due to passenger constraints.

The aliens were transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody.

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-