TowBoatUS San Diego Removes Several Pangas from Area Beaches

30′ Pangas full of illegal aliens and even drugs are hitting the beaches of Southern California. From as far north as Laguna Beach. Smugglers intentionally run these boats onto the beach with no regard for life or the environment. The Panga off Laguna Beach had 2- 250hp Yamaha Outboards that broke off the boat and came to rest hidden in the surf. Vessel Assist San Diego salvage divers had to dive the surf line to find these motors as they became instant hazards to humans as well as the environment. Over 300 gallons of gasoline was recovered in 15 gallon cans.  The cans were spread over a 1/4 mile stretch of the beach and some had holes drilled in the caps for fuel pickup tubes to be installed. A few days earlier a panga hit the beach near Ocean Beach pier almost breaking apart. Vessel Assist San Diego had to use a 4×4 with a winch to place the boat on a trailer and transport it to storage. Just a few weeks after these two incidents one person drowned and another was revived by lifeguards, as a panga hit the beach in San Diego. Most of these boats are getting stopped before they hit land as US Coast Guard and US Border Patrol work around the clock to intercept them.
So, if you’re out fishing off the coast and you see anything that looks suspicious call the USCG on 16 or cell phone and report it. One thing to look for is more than 6 people on a Panga heading north or a person driving a Panga using a tiller off the motor. Again we as Americans need to report this activity in hopes that we can ebb the flow of illegal activities in our waters. If you are boarded by either the USCG or Border Patrol, remember they are just doing their job to keep our waters safe. Have your safety gear and boat registration in order. These crew members have a tough task in front of them as the illegal activity heats up as the weather gets better.
If for some reason you are fishing in Mexican waters and Vessel Assist San Diego had to assist you be prepared for a quick Customs stop when you arrive in San Diego or Mission Bay, it is the law that we check in any time we come in contact with a disabled vessel while in Mexican waters.