U.S. Coast Guard Fires at Boat Carrying Migrants off California Coast

Coast Guard Fires at Migrant Boat in San Diego

Engine Disabled on Boat Carrying 8 Migrants

Maritime Operations Increase

The U.S. Coast Guard opened fire last Saturday on the engine of a boat transporting migrants off the coast of San Diego, California, after the boat’s operator ignored multiple orders to stop.

The action is part of heightened maritime surveillance in response to increasing human smuggling by sea.

The incident highlights the growing use of force in maritime immigration enforcement and raises concerns about the vulnerability of those on board, especially when minors are involved.

It also draws attention to the rise in illegal maritime crossings, a route increasingly used as land-based controls are tightened.

Coast Guard Fires at Migrant Boat in San Diego

U.S. Coast Guard Fires at Migrant Boat Off San Diego Coast
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— Directorio Cubano – Noticias de Cuba (@directoriocuban) May 14, 2025

The USCG detected a 5.5-meter boat speeding toward San Diego Bay.

After ignoring verbal commands and warning shots, agents fired four rounds directly at the engine, successfully disabling the vessel without injuring anyone.

There were eight people on board: five men, one woman, and two minors aged 16 and 17.

This was reported by EFE.

Maritime Operations Continue

#SanDiego | The Coast Guard intercepted three suspected human smuggling attempts via ocean routes near San Diego. Each incident occurred at different times on Saturday, May 10.
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— Noticias Univision San Diego – Tijuana (@UnivisionSD) May 12, 2025

That same day, at least two other boats carrying migrants were intercepted in the area without incident.

Authorities did not specify the nationalities of the occupants but emphasized that these operations are part of a broader response to rising maritime smuggling activity along the California coast.

The episode comes just days after a shipwreck in the same area that left three dead and seven missing, including a 9-year-old girl of Indian origin. That tragedy underscored the extreme risk involved in these irregular sea journeys.

According to official data, more than 260 maritime smuggling events have been recorded off the San Diego coast so far in fiscal year 2025. In March alone, there were 28 incidents. Since 2018, cases have risen by 400%, according to the Coast Guard.

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