On Sunday, February 2, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a 25-foot panga-style vessel approximately 15 miles off the coast of Mission Bay, California. The boat carried 16 individuals who, upon initial interviews, claimed to be from Mexico. All were transferred into U.S. Border Patrol custody.
The interception occurred around midnight when the cutter Active notified the Joint Harbor Operations Center of a vessel with about 15-20 people on board, located a mile south of their position. Panga boats, known for their narrow, high-bowed design, are often utilized by smugglers for transporting drugs and people. The cutter Active, along with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations boat crew, deployed boarding teams to assess the situation. Upon investigation, they discovered the 16 immigrants aboard the panga.
This incident follows a series of recent maritime interceptions by the Coast Guard. Last week, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted several “alien expulsion flight operations” between California and Texas, which included intercepting a boat carrying illegal migrants that was sinking in U.S. waters. In that operation, all individuals aboard the sinking vessel were safely removed and transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Coast Guard remains committed to protecting lives at sea while working alongside federal partners to combat illicit maritime activities. These operations highlight the coordinated efforts between agencies to secure the nation’s maritime borders.
