Coast Guard rescues two Cuban fisherman 17 miles south of Grassy Key

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/18/2017 04:44 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

May 18, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
Office: (305) 415-6683
After Hours: (786) 367-7649

Coast Guard rescues two Cuban fisherman 17 miles south of Grassy Key

A Coast Guard Station Islamorada boat crew rescues two Cuban fisherman Thursday, May 18, 2017, approximately 17 miles south of Grassy Key. The fisherman reported they had been disabled and adrift for three days with no food or water. (Coast Guard photo) A Coast Guard Station Islamorada boat crew rescues two Cuban fisherman Thursday, May 18, 2017, approximately 17 miles south of Grassy Key. The fisherman reported they had been disabled and adrift for three days with no food or water. (Coast Guard photo)  
A Cuban fisherman rests aboard a Coast Guard Station Islamorada boat Thursday, May 18, 2017, approximately 17 miles south of Grassy Key. The boat crew rescued two Cuban fisherman who reported they had been disabled and adrift for three days with no food or water. (Coast Guard photo) A Coast Guard Station Islamorada boat crew rescues two Cuban fisherman Thursday, May 18, 2017, approximately 17 miles south of Grassy Key. The fisherman reported they had been disabled and adrift for three days with no food or water. (Coast Guard photo)  

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard rescued two Cuban fisherman Thursday 17 miles south of Grassy Key.

Watch standers at the Coast Guard Seventh District received a request for assistance from the Cuban Border Guard at approximately 8:30 a.m. Wednesday involving a 22-foot sport fishing boat with two people on board that was overdue from Santa Cruz del Norte, Cuba. The watch standers diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew to assist in the search for the vessel.

At 10 a.m. Thursday Coast Guard Station Islamorada received a mayday call from a disabled vessel south of Grassy Key matching the description of the overdue fishing boat. A Station Islamorada boat crew responded to the call and transferred the two fisherman to emergency medical services and U.S. Border Patrol in stable condition. They were then transported to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier. The two men reported they had been at sea for three days.

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