Search Ends For 8 Missing Troops Off San Clemente Island

CAMP PENDLETON, CA — The search has ended for seven Marines and a Navy sailor who went missing in the ocean about 80 miles off the coast of Encinitas when an amphibious assault vehicle sank during a training exercise. All eight missing service members are presumed dead, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit said early Sunday morning.

"It is with a heavy heart that I decided to conclude the search and rescue effort," Col. Christopher Bronzi, 15th MEU commanding officer, said. "The steadfast decision of the Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen to the persistent rescue effort was tremendous."

Efforts will now turn to search and recovery, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit said. The search and rescue effort had covered more than 1,000 square nautical miles since the accident occurred around 5:45 p.m. Thursday near San Clemente Island, roughly 78 miles off the coast of San Diego.

Fifteen Marines and one Navy sailor were aboard the vehicle, which began taking on water during a training exercise. Two crew members were injured in the accident.

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— 15th MEU (@15thMEUOfficial) August 2, 2020

Eight Marines were rescued, including one who was pronounced dead at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, officials said. Two of the Marines were admitted in critical but stable condition.

Marine Corps officials said Friday that they continued to view the around-the-clock effort to find the missing personnel as a prospective rescue operation, according to Gen. David Berger, USMC commandant.

"We have not moved into a recovery operation," Berger told reporters during a mid-afternoon briefing at Camp Pendleton, the home base of the missing and recovered personnel.

All the Marines involved were assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is based at Camp Pendleton.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident," Bronzi said. "I ask that you keep our Marines, Sailors, and their families in your prayers."

A massive sea and air search was underway Friday for the missing Marines. The Navy's USS John Finn, three Navy helicopters, several smaller Navy vessels, a U.S. Coast Guard ship and a helicopter from Coast Guard Sector San Diego were searching the area.

The accident was under investigation.

City News Service and Patch reporter Tim Moran contributed to this report.