Crewmembers aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ocracoke repatriated 38 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, Wednesday.
This repatriation was a result of two migrant interdiction cases.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., received a report of a rustic vessel south of Marathon, Fla., June 7. The Coast Guard Cutter Sawfish responded to the report and safely embarked 20 Cuban migrants. The migrants were later transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Ocracoke.
On the same day, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West received another report from a patrolling Customs and Border Protection maritime patrol aircraft crew of a rustic vessel southwest of Key West. The Ocracoke arrived on scene and safely embarked 18 Cuban migrants.
“The United States Coast Guard’s day-to-day critical missions including migrant interdiction operations remain steadfast,” said Capt. Brendan McPherson, 7th Coast Guard District chief of enforcement. “We continue to patrol vigilantly to rescue and repatriate undocumented migrants who take to the sea, and together with our partner agencies, will vigorously investigate and prosecute migrant smuggling and associated crimes.”
Once aboard a Coast Guard Cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.
The Coast Guard Cutter Sawfish is a 87-foot patrol boat, homeported in Key West.
The Coast Guard Cutter Ocracoke is a 110-foot patrol boat, homeported in St. Petersburg, Fla.
[mappress] Press Release, June 14, 2013