Coast Guard rescues 16 people from sea off Ensenada, with more victims reportedly still in water

Kristina Davis and Teri Figueroa, The San Diego Union-Tribune on Oct 16, 2026

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SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 16 people from the sea about 120 miles off the coast of Ensenada Friday morning, and crews were continuing to search for additional victims reported to still be in the water.

Someone aboard the boat put out a distress call about 1 a.m. reporting that the vessel was taking on water and that 27 people were onboard Petty Officer Charlie Valor said. Air and surface crews from across California responded, along with the U.S. Navy.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Brian Raines said during a news conference that 16 patients were taken to hospitals by 13 ambulances waiting at the Coast Guard San Diego headquarters. Two were reported to be in critical condition, while the rest had moderate injuries, Raines said.

He said a boat was not visible during the first round of rescues, and all victims were in the water. It was unknown at this point if they were wearing life jackets.

The search was continuing for additional possible victims, according to Capt. Robert Tucker, Coast Guard sector commander in San Diego. A Coast Guard helicopter from Ventura, a fixed-wing plane from Sacramento and vessels from around the state were leading the effort, along with the U.S. Navy, he said.

“Right now the priority is search and rescue,” Tucker said at the news conference. “People are still out in the water.”

Coast Guard and Fire-Rescue officials were not able to immediately confirm additional details about the victims or the boat they were on.