U.S. Coast Guard Interdicts Five Cuban Migrants 55 Miles Southwest of Marathon, Florida

By  //  July 22, 2019

Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry crew located rustic vessel with five people

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. (Coast Guard image)

KEY WEST, FLORIDA – The U.S. Coast Guard interdicted five Cuban migrants Friday approximately 55 miles southwest of Marathon, Florida.

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.

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.

The migrants were transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore (WPC-1109) crew and repatriated to Cabanas, Cuba. (USCG image)
Port Canaveral’s U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant Has Rich Tradition, Long LegacyRelated Story:
Port Canaveral’s U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant Has Rich Tradition, Long Legacy

“Those who are interdicted at sea attempting to illegally immigrate will be repatriated to their country in accordance with existing U.S. 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 U.S. 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.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Carnival Victory Crewmember 30 Miles Northwest of CubaRelated Story:
Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Carnival Victory Crewmember 30 Miles Northwest of Cuba

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS