| Public Affairs Detachment San Diego, Calif. U.S. Coast Guard |
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| News Release |
Date: May 17, 2009 Contact: PADET San Diego, CA |
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Routine boarding leads to the apprehension of illegal immigrants SAN DIEGO -- The Coast Guard terminated a vessel's voyage inside Mission Bay, Calif., this afternoon. At 2:20 p.m. the Coast Guard was conducting routine vessel safety checks inside Mission Bay and observed four children onboard a 20-foot pleasure craft that appeared to be wearing life jackets not appropriate for their size. The Coast Guard stopped the vessel and proceeded to conduct a boarding to determine if the children onboard were wearing Coast Guard approved life jackets that were in good and serviceable condition, and the appropriate size. Upon further examination, only one person on board was able to provide proper identification. The boarding officer terminated the vessel's voyage due to the safety of the children.
Customs and Border Protection has custody of the suspected migrants. The vessel will be towed to the San Diego Lifeguard's pier. "This weekend marks the beginning of the boating season," said Chief Petty Officer Brian Hennessy, the small boat operator during the boarding. "Not only is it important that everyone onboard have a life jacket but children under the age of 13 need to be wearing it and it needs to be properly fitted. Just wearing a life jacket alone isn't enough. If a child were to fall overboard and become unconscious, while wearing an oversized life jacket, they could easily slip out of it or the life jacket may not keep their head above water, them causing them to drown." ### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
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