US Coast Guard swimmer rescues 16 people after Pacific shipwreck

US Coast Guard rescue swimmer Josh Law, 24, personally rescued 16 Mexican nationals from the Pacific Ocean following a boat capsizing approximately 140 miles off the coast of Baja California. The operation took place in the predawn hours of October 16 amidst heavy waves of 6 to 8 feet and near-total darkness.

Law was lowered from a helicopter by Lieutenant Miyako Miller to reach survivors clinging to debris and buoys. While Law successfully brought 16 people to safety, eleven others remain missing, and the Coast Guard has since called off the search. The incident is currently under federal investigation by US Customs and Border Protection to determine if the vessel was involved in migrant smuggling or suffered mechanical failure.

Survivors were transported to San Diego for medical attention, with some reportedly suffering from injuries consistent with shark bites. The Mexican consulate has been involved in assisting the survivors.