AUGUST 23, 2017

13 Cuban migrants intercepted near Dania Beach Pier


DANIA BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Migrants in a small sailboat were intercepted by authorities off Dania Beach, Wednesday morning.

7Skyforce HD flew over the scene at the pier, located at 300 N. Beach Road, where the Cuban migrants were spotted at about 9:15 a.m. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection boat was seen throwing life jackets and giving water bottles to the 13 migrants on board.

The group of migrants made it within two miles of the landfall before they were intercepted by officials.

Beachgoers said they weren’t able to see what exactly happened, but understood the group was trying to get to land. “Pretty impressive challenge,” said one man. “It’s a tough way to get in.”

“People want to come to America, don’t they?” asked a woman.

Rescue crews and border protection released pictures of crews, as they intercepted the migrants.

13 Cuban migrants intercepted near Dania Beach Pier - WSVN.com


“Actually, it is kind of weird to see that they’re still trying to come over here and touch land just so they can be citizens,” said another onlooker.
U.S. Coast Guard officials reportedly brought the migrants on board their own boats for repatriation.