The U.S. Coast Guard has ceased its search for 11 individuals after a vessel carrying 27 people sank near Baja California.. Sixteen Mexican nationals were saved, some of whom had suspected shark bites.
The 11 missing and 16 survivors 140 miles west of Ensenada
The U.S. Coast Guard ended a nearly four-day search operation late Sunday for 11 people believed to have perished when their vessel capsized. According to the Coast Guard, the boat went down approximately 140 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico, in an area frequently used by smugglers. While 16 people were pulled from the water, the remaining 11 are presumed dead.
The rescue effort was a multinational operation. The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated with the U.S. Navy and the Mexican Navy, utilizing a combination of aircraft, helicopters, and multiple boats to scour the waters. Despite the extensive search, the operation was called off after 96 hours of active looking for survivors.
Shark bites and the 1 a.m. mayday call
The crisis began early Friday morning when a mayday call was issued from the vessel at approximately 1 a.m., according to Coast Guard Lt. Santiago Tamburini. A rescue helicopter arrived at the scene two hours later, and the subsequent rescue of the 16 survivors took roughly 90 minutes to complete.
The conditions in the water were perilous; the Coast Guard reported that several of the rescued individuals suffered from suspected shark bites while awaiting rescue. The Mexican consulate in San Diego later confirmed that all 16 individuals saved from the wreckage were Mexican nationals .
A pattern of maritime tragedy since 2023
This incident is part of a broader, deadly trend of maritime smuggling attempts along the U.S.-Mexico border. As reported in the source, a similar tragedy occurred in May 2025, where at least three people died after a boat flipped north of the border. These events highlight the extreme risks migrants face when attempting to bypass traditional land crossings.
The risks are often compounded by environmental factors and poor vessel quality. In 2023, one of the deadliest maritime smuggling accidents in the region occurred when two boats approached a San Diego beach in heavy fog, resulting in one boat capsizing and the deaths of eight people.
The CBP investigation into the boat's origin
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently conducting an investigation into the incident and interviewing the 16 survivors. however, significant details remain missing; as reported, the origin and the intended destination of the vessel have not yet been clarified.
There are still critical questions regarding who operated the vessel and whether the boat was seaworthy for a journey so far offshore. While the Coast Guard provided details on the rescue, CBP did not immediately respond to requests for an update on the status of the federal investigation, leaving the motives and logistics of the voyage unknown.
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