Coast Guard Swimmer Pulls 16 Survivors from Pacific Wreck
Josh Law, a 24-year-old United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer, spent nearly two hours alone in the Pacific Ocean to save 16 people after a vessel sank off the coast of Baja California, The Associated Press reported. The operation stands as the longest rescue in Law’s career, according to The Associated Press.
The shipwreck unfolded during the early hours of October 16, roughly 225 kilometers west of Ensenada. A distress call went out at approximately 1:00 a.m. as the boat began to sink with up to 27 people on board, leaving 11 individuals unaccounted for.
Night Rescue in Open Ocean
The emergency signal triggered an immediate response at the Coast Guard air station in Ventura, northwest of Los Angeles. Lieutenant Miyako Miller piloted the helicopter to the coordinates, arriving about two hours after the initial call to find only floating debris and personal belongings remaining on the water’s surface.
Suspended by a harness, Law descended into the dark water amid waves reaching up to 2.4 meters. Rotor wash and heavy turbulence made hearing and seeing impossible. Lieutenant Miller spotted tiny flashing lights on life vests from the air, guiding the swimmer toward survivors who were clinging to each other and to pieces of the wrecked vessel.
Working continuously for nearly two hours, Law swam to each survivor, rolled them onto their backs, and used the buddy tow technique to drag them toward the basket lowered by the flight mechanic. His dry suit filled with water up to his knees, adding dangerous weight and inducing physical exhaustion as he hauled the passengers to safety one by one.
Hospitalization and Immigration Processing
With the helicopter packed and fuel running low, the crew flew directly to the Coast Guard station in San Diego to meet waiting ambulances. Law treated three individuals for severe injuries during the flight, noting wounds consistent with shark bites.
The Consulate of Mexico in San Diego confirmed that all 16 survivors are Mexican citizens and provided consular assistance. Agents from Customs and Border Protection interviewed the hospitalized survivors, and authorities returned nearly half of them to Mexico under immigration laws.
Federal Authorities Investigate Vessel While Search Ends
Federal authorities opened an investigation to determine the origin, destination, and purpose of the sunken vessel. Lieutenant Santiago Tamburini of the Coast Guard stated that investigators cannot yet determine whether the boat suffered a mechanical failure, drifted off course, or was lost at sea.
The Coast Guard, the United States Navy, and the Mexican Navy joined forces to search for the 11 missing people. Crews scoured more than 6,322 square kilometers over 89 hours before suspending the operation without finding additional survivors.