A migrant boat washed ashore near Windansea Beach in La Jolla on Sunday morning, prompting a response from local authorities. A surfer, Jon Burland, noticed the vessel and reported smelling gas. The U.S. Coast Guard spotted the 24-foot boat around 5 a.m. as multiple occupants fled towards a nearby intersection. Customs and Border Patrol apprehended nine migrants for processing. Burland captured drone footage showing a gas jug and battery on the boat, raising concerns about safety. Local passerby Hilary Cole expressed sadness over the desperation that drives people to undertake such dangerous journeys. The boat was eventually seized by border patrol.
A vessel carrying several migrants washed ashore Sunday morning at Windansea Beach in La Jolla.
“My neighbor asked if I could smell gas. I replied yes and noticed the boat near the reef,” said Jon Burland, a local surfer.
According to Customs and Border Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard spotted a 24-foot cuddy cabin-style boat around 5 a.m., observing multiple individuals disembarking and heading towards the intersection of Coast Blvd. and Prospect St.
CBP reported that agents from the Imperial Beach Station responded and detained nine migrants, who were taken to a nearby border patrol facility for processing.
“In the water, there was a strong smell of gas,” Burland mentioned.
Burland woke early Sunday to catch some waves and noticed a hazmat team, border patrol, police, and a lifeguard stationed along the coast.
“It seemed strange that no one had attended to the boat, considering hours had passed since the incident,” Burland added.
He recorded drone footage as he approached the boat, retrieving a jug of gasoline and what appeared to be a car battery.
“It’s very tragic and unfortunate that people resort to such measures, but thankfully, no one was harmed,” Burland stated.
The boat remained there for several hours before being towed, with CBP stating that it was seized by border patrol.
Hilary Cole, walking her dog, found it unusual to see an abandoned boat but learned the details later.
“It makes me sad for humanity that people feel so unsafe and desperate due to their circumstances, leading them to take such drastic steps in hopes of a better life,” Cole expressed.
It remains unclear if there were additional individuals on board the vessel.