US Coast Guard interdicts Cubans southwest of Marathon
US Coast Guard interdicts Cuban migrants southwest of Marathon
July 22, 2019
https://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/wp-...s1-696x464.jpgA rustic vessel approximately 55 miles southwest of Marathon, Wednesday, July 19, 2019. (Coast Guard Photo)
KEY WEST, Florida — US Coast Guard interdicted five Cuban migrants Friday approximately 55 miles southwest of Marathon. The Station Islamorada crew safely embarked the five Cuban adult males and destroyed the vessel as a hazard to navigation.
The migrants were transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore (WPC-1109) crew and repatriated to Cabanas, Cuba.
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants received food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention.
A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew located a rustic vessel with five people aboard 55 miles southwest of Marathon and Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Station Islamorada 45-foot response boat, medium crew and an Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew.
“Those who are interdicted at sea attempting to illegally immigrate will be repatriated to their country in accordance with existing US immigration policy,” said Chief Warrant Officer Scott Goss, commanding officer of Station Islamorada.
“Migrant interdiction operations save lives. The sea conditions can change in an instant and can be unforgiving to the ill-equipped craft that are often used for these voyages.”
Approximately 384 Cuban migrants have attempted to illegally enter the US via the maritime environment in fiscal year 2019 compared to 406 Cuban migrants in fiscal year 2018. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean, and Atlantic.
https://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/2019/07/22/us-coast-guard-interdicts-cuban-migrants-southwest-of-marathon/
