CORRECTION: Coast Guard repatriates 28 Cubans to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/22/2022 07:36 PM EST

united states coast guard 

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 repatriates 28 Cubans to Cuba

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a 10-foot vessel, Feb. 18, 2022, approximately 50 miles south of Key West, Florida. Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell’s crew repatriated 28 people to Cuba following three interdictions of undocumented migrants off the coasts of Key West and Long Key due to safety of life at sea concerns. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell’s crew interdicts a 10-foot vessel, Feb. 18, 2022, approximately 50 miles south of Key West, Florida. Margaret Norvell’s crew repatriated 28 people to Cuba following three interdictions of undocumented migrants off the coasts of Key West and Long Key due to safety of life at sea concerns. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high-resolution version.

Editor's Note: Total number of Cuban migrants interdicted by the Coast Guard FY 2022 was corrected.

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell’s crew repatriated 28 people to Cuba, Tuesday, following three interdictions of undocumented migrants off the coasts of Key West and Long Key due to safety of life at sea concerns.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders at about 3:30 p.m., Friday, of a 10-foot vessel approximately 50 miles south of Key West. 

Coast Guard Cutter Margarette Norvell’s crew notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders at about 7 p.m., Saturday, of a 15-foot vessel approximately 25 miles south of Key West.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders at approximately 12 a.m., Sunday, of a 15-foot vessel approximately 20 miles southeast of Long Key.

“Navigating the seas in unseaworthy vessels is extremely dangerous,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Jose Hernandez, Coast Guard District Seven public affairs specialist. “The Coast Guard and our local and federal law enforcement partners maintain an active presence through the Florida Straits to help save lives by removing people from these unsafe voyages.”

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 800 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
  • 838 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2021

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

Family members in the United States inquiring about possible family members interdicted at sea, please contact your local U.S. representative. Relatives located outside the United States please contact your local U.S. Embassy.

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-USCG-