SAN DIEGO – Yesterday, 17 undocumented immigrants were rescued by the US Coast Guard from a small, stranded boat.

According to a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, they spotted a red flare at 4:45 am while on patrol west of Point Loma.

911 also reported a man calling to report that he had fired the red flare.

Afterwards, a helicopter from the Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations was dispatched approximately 8 miles west of Pacific Beach to rescue them.

They were taken into custody after arriving ashore.

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miranda.garcia@sandiegored.com

Translated by: edgar.martinez@sandiegored.com