Search For Possible Survivors Of Boat Accident Off Ensenada Enters Third Day

SAN DIEGO, CA — The search for 11 people missing after a boat sank off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico, on Friday continued for a third day Sunday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

"We're still out there and we're still doing our best to find survivors," USCG Petty Officer Charlie Valor told City News Service on Sunday.

Victims of the accident issued a radio distress call in Spanish at about 1 a.m. Friday, reporting that a total of 27 people were in the ocean and that the boat was taking on water and sinking, according to USCG public affairs.

San Diego-based Coast Guard personnel arrived on the scene at about 2 a.m. Friday and were coordinating the search-and-rescue efforts, and 16 people were rescued.

One USCG cutter and two Mexican Navy ships were still on scene searching the area Sunday, according to Valor, who said rescue aircraft and U.S. Navy ships had left the area.

"We are using these resources because we have reason to believe there is a possibility they are still alive and able to be rescued," Valor said. She did not have an update on the conditions of the 16 people who were rescued and taken to San Diego hospitals.

"We do not know the nature of the vessel and why it was where it was," Valor said. "This matter is currently a federal investigation, the details are still under investigation."

The Coast Guard says the vessel was traveling along a route associated with maritime smuggling into the United States.

Valor also told CNS that while the boat was in Mexican waters when it sank Friday, it was in the USCG's area of responsibility. "The situation is ever evolving," she said. "Our concern was rescuing the people and getting them to safety."

In a statement issued Friday, the Mexican consulate acknowledged the coordinated work of hospitals, medical services, and maritime and air rescue agencies on both sides of the border.

"The Mexican Consulate General in San Diego immediately activated its emergency protocol after being informed about the Coast Guard's humanitarian rescue operation for the passengers of a vessel that sank 140 nautical miles west of Ensenada, Baja California," the statement said. "Personnel from the Protection Department of the consular representation went to different hospitals in San Diego County, managing to locate and provide direct assistance to 16 Mexican nationals who were transferred to said health centers for their medical evaluation after the incident at sea."

The USCG Command Center in Alameda has taken over coordination of the rescue efforts, according to Valor, who said the decision on when and if the search efforts are ended will depend on weather, sea conditions and other factors.