California’s Contaminated Ocean Sparks Health Concerns for Navy SEALs

Hundreds of Navy SEAL candidates became sick within a week of being exposed to contaminated ocean water at the Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) in Coronado, California, a report from the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General found.

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Navy by email for comment.

Why It Matters

Multiple times over the past six years, San Diego County’s Beach and Bay Water Quality Program has issued beach closures for beaches near NAB Coronado after water testing revealed the presence of fecal indicator bacteria that exceeded safety limits in the ocean water. The county tests for the bacteria because “these bacteria are scientifically known to indicate the presence of other bacteria or viruses.”

Exposure to contaminated water could cause acute gastrointestinal illnesses, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

What to Know

Between January 2019 and May 2023, 1,168 cases of acute gastrointestinal illness were reported among Navy SEAL and Special Warfare Combat Crewman candidates at NAB Coronado, the inspector general report found. Of those, 457 were diagnosed within a week of being exposed to ocean water that was contaminated by bacteria that exceeded state limits.

Testing completed at a beach north of NAB Coronado between February 2024 and September 2024 found that bacteria in the water exceeded state safety levels 76 percent of the time. However, the U.S. Navy only relocated 12 Navy Seal candidate water training events of the scheduled 265 events during that same time, the report found.

In some cases, beaches north and south of NAB Coronado were closed because of water contamination during the time that the candidate training took place.

In addition to that, during Hell Week in September 2023, Navy SEAL candidates were not relocated even though San Diego County officials closed beaches in the area for “excessive enterococcus bacteria in the water.”

Therefore, the candidates were exposed to the contaminated water and were “presented with increased health risks,” which could impact future training missions, the inspector general’s report found.

What People Are Saying

The Office of the Naval Inspector General (NAVINSGEN) said in a response to the report: “Our Sailors’ safety during SEAL candidate training and after graduation is paramount. Continued successful force generation, sustainment and employment under difficult conditions must also remain their highest priority.”

The response added: “Naval Special Warfare (NSW) will have a challenge canceling or relocating 75 percent of their water training activities.”

The DoD’s Inspector General’s report responded to NAVINSGEN’s comments: “We acknowledge the NAVINSGEN’s comments, but their comments did not require a revision to the advisory.”

What Happens Next

The inspector general’s report urged the U.S. Navy to change its plans for Navy SEAL candidate water training when water bacteria levels exceed state safety standards.