Coast Guard rescues 37 suspected migrants stranded for 2 days off California coast

FIRST ON FOX: Dozens of suspected migrants were rescued from a 30-foot pleasure craft after spending two days stranded without fuel, food or water, nearly 90 miles off the Southern California coast, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard said 37 suspected migrants were aboard the boat when crews reached it Friday, about 88 miles from Channel Islands Harbor.

The rescue began around 3:40 p.m., when the boat’s operator radioed the Coast Guard for help.

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The operator said the boat had been drifting for two days without fuel, food or water and had no personal safety equipment.

The Coast Guard sent several crews to the area, including the cutters Sockeye and Halibut, boats from stations in Los Angeles-Long Beach and Channel Islands, and an air crew.

Crews found the boat around 8:30 p.m. and brought all 37 suspected migrants aboard the Sockeye.

"I could not be prouder of the Coast Guard crews on scene who were directly responsible for 37 lives saved last night," said Master Chief Peter Nelson, the Sockeye’s officer in charge.

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Nelson said crews carried out the rescue at night in rough conditions far from shore.

"Despite operating far offshore in rough conditions at night, they persevered until every person in danger was rescued," Nelson said. "Their extraordinary professionalism, superb judgment, and impeccable seamanship shined throughout the entire case."

The Sockeye brought the group to Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach, where they were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.

The Coast Guard did not immediately say where the group was from, where the boat began its journey or where it was headed.

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