A woman was detained Tuesday morning after police said she tried to steal a research vessel filled with people.
Around 2 a.m. a woman untying boat lines at the Scripps Institute facility in Point Loma prompted a security guard to call police.
The woman had made had made her way over the facility's fence and was trying to untie dock lines to research ship called "New Horizon" full of scientists sleeping on board. The security guard detained the woman and Harbor Police officers took her into custody.
Police said the vessel is considered federal property and that the woman had been missing for a few days from South Carolina. Officials said she told them she wanted to sail away back home.
No charges have been filed as police believe the woman may be mentally unstable.
Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego