SAN DIEGO — Several people were detained offshore at Solana Beach after authorities discovered them onboard a small boat reported to authorities as "capsized" late Thursday morning.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, around 10:30 a.m., state park employees notified them about a vessel attempting to beach near Carlsbad. However, the 18-foot boat continued southbound instead and tried to land near Fletcher Cove.
Officials said the boat became disabled about 100 yards offshore.
One person jumped into the water. Solana Beach Lifeguards picked him up and handed him to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Video from Chopper 8 showed authorities examining the boat and circling it in the water until the U.S. Coast Guard approached about 15 minutes later.
Several men emerged from the boat's hull, were transferred onto the U.S. Coast Guard vessel, searched, and detained.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said they responded to detain about 14 people.
A witness said lifeguards announced over a loudspeaker for the boat to back from the shore as they were too close.
"Once all those people just appeared on the deck of the boat, I did not know what the heck was happening," said Sean Kennedy, who was at the beach with his family.
A CBS 8 photojournalist waiting on the shoreline for the boat to be tugged in said U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents were parked alongside Solana Beach and Encinitas Fire Department trucks who had also responded to the call for help.
It's unknown where the boat originated from.
The situation is under investigation.
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