72 Haitian Migrants Intercepted Off Florida, Bahamas: Coast Guard

Miami FL

29 April, 2021

1:27 PM

Description

SOUTH FLORIDA — The Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton's crew intercepted 72 Haitian migrants from the waters off South Florida and the Bahamas in two separate incidents and repatriated them back to Haiti Tuesday, according to a U.S. Coast Guard news release. In the first incident, after receiving a mayday call from 15 miles west of the Bahamas April 17, Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders launched multiple surface asset crews and an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew to assist. The Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered crew intercepted migrants on an overloaded 42-foot pleasure craft, the Coast Guard said. Then, on April 22, Sector Miami watchstanders received a report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection of an overloaded 25-foot pleasure craft about 10 miles east of Lake Worth. The Coast Guard Cutter Manatee crew and surface asset crews arrived on scene to intercept and assist the migrants, the Coast Guard said. "It is extremely dangerous to take to the sea on an overloaded, homemade or makeshift vessel," Lt. Mark Tatara, commanding officer of the Cutter Charles Sexton, said. "Those who embark on these vessels are risking their lives and it is our duty to protect the safety of life at sea. People should not take to the sea in an attempt to migrate to the United States." Since Oct. 1, Coast Guard crews have intercepted 262 Haitians. In fiscal year 2020, this number was 418 migrants and 895 in fiscal year 2019, the Coast Guard said. Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention, the Coast Guard said.