Coast Guard picks up undocumented migrants near Fort Pierce

By staff report
TCPalm
Posted August 22, 2010 at 5:30 p.m., updated August 22, 2010 at 9:59 p.m.

FORT PIERCE — The Coast Guard has picked up eight undocumented migrants from a boat found 20 miles east of Fort Pierce on Friday, according to a Coast Guard news release issued Sunday.

A Coast Guard smallboat crew from Fort Pierce responded to a report of a vessel taking on water 20 miles east of Fort Pierce, according to the news release. Once on scene, the crew confirmed the 24-foot vessel was not sinking but had no fuel and lost steering.

Nine people were on board the vessel — two Jamaican males, three Bahamian males, one Bahamian female, two Bahamian infants and one U.S. citizen. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bluefin was dispatched to the vessel.

Because of a medical issue, the U.S. citizen was brought ashore to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and awaiting EMS on Saturday.

The eight undocumented migrants were brought ashore and turned over to Customs and Border Protection officials in Lake Worth on Sunday.

Once aboard all Coast Guard cutters, migrants are given food, water and basic medical attention.

This story will be updated as more details become available.

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