M/V Jean Anne provides assistance after spotting vessel adrift in the Pacific

The M/V Jean Anne recently provided assistance to 15 people in a boat approximately 40 nautical miles south-southwest of San Diego. While en route to San Diego, the Jean Anne's bridge watch spotted a small boat with a large group of people in orange lifejackets waving and signaling for assistance.

The Jean Anne turned, slowed and brought the boat alongside on the lee side of the ship, and passed a line to the boat. There were 11 men and four women onboard the approximately 25-foot boat. From their boat, they told the Jean Anne crew they were Mexican nationals attempting to cross the U.S. border when their single outboard engine became disabled. They had left Mexico the previous day and had broken down sometime during the night. They had fuel but no food or water.

"I notified U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego via VHF," said Captain Mike Richie, master on the Jean Anne. "Since there was no one injured and they were not in danger of sinking, and in Mexican waters, they ultimately requested us just to stand-by for about an hour as they had notified the Mexican Coast Guard to provide assistance. We passed them down food, water and a tarp to block the sun.

"About two hours later, two Mexican Coast Guard boats were approaching from Ensenada," Richie said. "The USCG released us via VHF when the Mexican Coast Guard boats were about three to four miles from us. We passed down to the group that the Coast Guard was a few miles away and that they would be there shortly to provide assistance."