CORRECTION: Coast Guard repatriates 46 migrants from 4 interdictions to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/03/2021 08:53 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
7th District online newsroom

CORRECTION: Coast Guard repatriates 46 migrants from 4 interdictions to Cuba

Coast Guard Cutter Resolute small boat crew rescues 8 people from the water approximately 16 miles south of Key West, Florida, May 27,2021. The survivors currently remain aboard a Coast Guard cutter where they will receive food, water and basic medical attention. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew spotted a rustic vessel and notified Sector Key West watchstanders approximately 23 miles south of Key West, May 21, 2021. The Coast Guard Cutter Resolute arrived on scene and embarked the migrants with no medical concerns reported. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Correction: The four interdictions did not all occur on May 21. See below for the correct dates.
Editor's Note:  Click on images to download high-resolution version.

MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore crew repatriated 46 Cuban migrants to Cuba, Monday, from four interdictions.

In the first interdiction, the Cutter Kathleen Moore’s crew located a migrant vessel and notified Sector Key West watchstanders, May 27, approximately 45 miles north of Bahia Honda, Cuba. 

In the second interdiction, the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute’s crew spotted and rescued migrants from the water, May 27, approximately 16 miles south of Key West. Cutter Resolute’s crew transferred the migrants to Cutter Kathleen Moore.

In the third interdiction, a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew spotted a rustic vessel and notified Sector Key West watchstanders, May 28, approximately 23 miles south of Key West. The Cutter Resolute arrived on scene and embarked the migrants with no medical concerns reported. Cutter Resolute’s crew transferred the migrants to Cutter Kathleen Moore.

In the fourth interdiction, Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders received a report from a good Samaritan of a rustic vessel, May 28, approximately 69 miles south of the Marquesas. Cutter Kathleen Moore arrived on scene and safely embarked the migrants.

"The Florida Straits can be very dangerous," said Capt. Adam Chamie, Commander of Sector Key West. "The weather can change quickly. Even if the water is warm, the sea can be unforgiving, particularly in unseaworthy rafts. Please don't take to the sea."

Since Oct. 1, 2020, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 323 Cubans compared to:

  • 5,396 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2016
  • 1,468 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2017
  • 259 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2018
  • 313 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2019
  • 49 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2020

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention. Throughout the interdiction, Coast Guard crew members were equipped with personal protective equipment to minimize potential exposure to any possible case of COVID-19. 

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

-USCG-