U.S. Coast Guard asks boaters and citizens to remain vigilant in Northern California

A Panga which is a twin engined high speed small boat was found running in reverse a few days ago on a fairly remote beach in the morning in Northern California. People's clothes and shoes were found as well as drag marks of something drug up and loaded likely into a truck. It is suspected to be drugs like Marijuana. The Panga boat was found still running in reverse. It had been sent out to sea in reverse by itself but it got caught in seaweed so it was running in reverse in circles rather than going out to sea backwards. I believe this happened a week ago as of now. I just heard about it today in a small advertiser.

The coast Guard is very concerned because this is the first one this far north. Usually this happens much closer to Mexico.

Coast Guard asks boaters, citizens in Northern California to remain ...

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3 days ago - Coast Guard asks boaters, citizens in Northern California to remain vigilant ... It is believed the boat may have been used for smuggling. ... abandoned the vessels leaving the remaining fuel to the mercy of the environment, ...

Coast Guard asks boaters, citizens in Northern California to remain vigilant

Nov 14th, 2013 · 0 Comment

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The U.S. Coast Guard is asking coastal residents and the maritime community to remain vigilant and to immediately notify authorities if they observe any suspicious vessels or activities along the coast, in port, or at sea.
Over the past few years officials have seen a trend of smugglers from Mexico traveling farther north along the California coast taking longer routes and greater risks to evade patrols. The Coast Guard responded Monday to a report of a 24-foot vessel with no one aboard adrift in Carmel Bay. When Coast Guard crews arrived on scene it appeared that someone had attempted to scuttle the vessel by puncturing the hull with an ax. It is believed the boat may have been used for smuggling.
“Fast 25- to 50-foot open-hull boats powered by two or more outboard motors, commonly referred to as ‘pangas,’ are used by smugglers to transport illegal drugs and people into the United States,” said Capt. Greg Stump, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco commander.

This poster, based on a submission to the Coast Guard Art Program, illustrates the 11th District Coast Guard’s anti-smuggling and panga awareness campaign. (Graphics by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers)

“Some folks may ask, ‘What’s the big deal?’ The big deal is that this smuggling activity helps fund violent international criminal organizations, threatens the safety of law abiding citizens at sea and ashore, and contributes to the supply of illegal drugs on our streets. We’re asking the public to help us stop smuggling by reporting any suspicious activity,” said Stump.
The money earned from smuggling, and the illegal activities related to it, have been cited as a destabilizing influence in Mexico and causes tremendous harm to communities on both sides of the border. Illegal drug and human trafficking places federal, state, and local law enforcement officers as well as private citizens in danger.
In December 2012 a Coast Guardsman was killed by suspected smugglers when they rammed a Coast Guard boat with their panga. In addition, the pangas often carry large amounts of fuel for their transit up the coast and once the smugglers complete their transit they abandoned the vessels leaving the remaining fuel to the mercy of the environment, needlessly exposing the community to dangerous health risks.
The public is urged to report suspicious maritime activity by calling 911, or call the Department of Homeland Security Tip Line at 415-426-8815. All calls to the Tip Line are confidential. Tipsters can remain anonymous if they choose.