U.S. Coast Guard rescues, repatriates 142 Haitian migrants

U.S. Coast Guard News Release

Sept. 30, 2008

Contact:
Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Ameen
305-415-6683

Coast Guard rescues, repatriates 142 Haitian migrants

A small boat with Coast Guard Cutter Tampa crew members distributed lifejackets and safely transported 142 Haitians from the grossly overloaded sail freighter Saturday. (USCG photo)

MIAMI -- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa repatriated 142 Haitian migrants to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater, Fla., deployed to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, in support of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos spotted an overloaded 50-foot sail freighter Saturday about 12 miles north of Île de la Tortue, Haiti.

The Tampa crew rescued and safely embarked 142 migrants without incident.

Once aboard Coast Guard cutters, migrants are provided with food, water, shelter and necessary medical attention.

The Tampa is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Va.

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have a nice trip back...come back legally