Passengers aboard a boat that sank near San Diego paid thousands to smugglers, authorities say Passengers aboard a vessel that sank near San Diego on Sunday told investigators they each paid thousands of dollars to be smuggled into the US, according to a federal complaint filed Wednesday against the suspected captain of the boat. The boat hit a reef and broke apart near the Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma around 10 a.m. PT, according to the complaint. Thirty-three people were pulled out of the water with three of the individuals found deceased. One passenger remains in critical condition at a local hospital and two others are still receiving medical attention for their injuries as of Wednesday.