PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard interdicts 10 illegal Cuban Migrants 20 miles South of Matecumbe Key

Photo Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast Contact: 7th District Public Affairs Office: 305-415-6683 After Hours: 786-367-7649 7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard interdicts 10 Cuban Migrants 20 miles south of Matecumbe Key

  

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MATECUMBE KEY, Fla. — The Coast Guard interdicted 10 migrants Monday 20 miles south of Matecumbe Key attempting to illegally enter the United States.  

Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received a notification from a good Samaritan boat reporting a suspicious vessel with 10 passengers aboard.

A Coast Guard Station Islamorada 45-foot Response Boat—Medium crew arrived on scene after a Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew sighted the vessel with 10 adult Cuban males aboard and embarked them with no medical concerns.

The 10 Cuban nationals were transferred to Cuban Authorities by the Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo (WPC-1112) crew and will be transferred back to their home of origin.

"Illegal maritime migration voyages are extremely dangerous, often on homemade, unseaworthy vessels, and put the safety of those aboard in great jeopardy," Lt. j.g. Karrie Jeffries, command duty officer, Sector Key West. "The Coast Guard remains poised to protect the safety of life at sea and interdict these vessels in an effort to prevent the loss of life while also enforcing the law." 

Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo is a 154-foot fast response cutter homeported in Key West, Florida.

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