The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 17 illegal aliens aboard a disabled boat floating about 50 miles southwest of San Diego on March 30.
Eighteen people were on board the 35-foot-long boat spotted in international waters just before 8 a.m. Sunday, according to the Coast Guard.
The boat was taking on water and requested assistance, the Coast Guard reported.
A helicopter air crew at the Coast Guard Air Station in San Diego was joined by the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance to make the rescue.
The Spruance launched a 23-foot-long rigid hull inflatable boat crew to bring the people to safety.
The helicopter air crew then picked them up from the Spruance to take them into San Diego, according to the report….