PHOTO AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues 199 Haitians

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/02/2021 03:37 PM EDT

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News 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 rescues 199 Haitians

Coast Guard crews transfer 199 Haitians to the Haitian authorities in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, Oct. 2, 2021. Coast Guard crews rescued the Haitians on Sep. 30. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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MIAMI — Coast Guard crews rescued 199 Haitians, Thursday, and they were safely transferred to Haitian authorities, Saturday. 

During a routine patrol, a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew located and notified Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders of a 50-foot sail freighter, Thursday, at approximately 2:30 p.m., southeast of Pointe de la Plateforme, Haiti. Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C Webber's crew arrived on scene and handed out personal flotation devices to the Haitians. They were brought aboard the cutter, due to the vessel being grossly overloaded. It was later destroyed as a hazard to navigation.

Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, Robert Yered and Diligence’s crews also assisted in this rescue.

No injuries or significant medical concerns were reported among the people rescued. 

The Coast Guard routinely returns persons interdicted at sea aboard unseaworthy vessels to their country of origin to prevent loss of life at sea. 

“These types of ventures are extremely dangerous due to them being grossly overloaded, aboard unseaworthy vessels, and without safety equipment," said Lt. Brandon Decardenas, Coast Guard Air Station Miami public affairs officer. "Coast Guard air and sea assets help prevent people from losing their lives in these attempts."

Since Oct, 1, 2020, Coast Guard crews have rescued 1,527 Haitians compared to: 

  • 418 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2020
  • 932 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2019
  • 609 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2018
  • 419 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2017

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all persons 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.

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-USCG-