MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Coast Guard repatriates 78 people to Haiti

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/03/2022 12:00 PM EDT

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U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
Office: 305-415-6683
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Coast Guard repatriates 78 people to Haiti

Coast Guard Cutter Campbell's law enforcement small boat crew transfer Haitian migrants from an unsafe and unstable sailing vessel to their boat, approximately 33 miles off Isle de Tortue, Haiti, April 30, 2022. The people were repatriated May 3, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Cutter Campbell's crew)

Editor's Note: Click on image to download high-resolution video.

Coast Guard cutter Campbell's crew spotted this overloaded vessel approximately 33 miles off Isle de Tortue, Haiti, April 30, 2022. A small boat crew from the cutter arrived on scene determined the vessel had no safety equipment was unstable and in danger of capsizing. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Cutter Campbell crew) Coast Guard Cutter Campbell's crew spotted this overloaded vessel approximately 33 miles off Isle de Tortue, Haiti, April 30, 2020. The people were repatriated May 3, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Cutter Campbell crew)
A Coast Guard Cutter Campbell crew member spotted a Haitian sailing vessel approximately 33 miles off Isle de Tortue, Haiti, April 30, 2022. The crew repatriated the Haitians to Haiti May 3, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Cutter Campbell crew) Coast Guard Cutter Cambell' small boat crew approaches an overloaded Haitian sailing vessel near Isle de Tortue, Haiti, April 30, 2022. The 102 people aboard were saved due to safety of life at sea concerns and repatriated on May 3, 2022.

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

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Campbell's crew repatriated 78 Haitians to Cap-Haitien, Haiti, Tuesday, after being stopped approximately 33 miles northwest of Isle de Tortue, Haiti. 

Campbell's crew spotted the overloaded vessel and when a deployed small boat crew arrived on scene determined the vessel had no safety equipment was unstable and in danger of capsizing. 

"We are urging families in the U.S. to ask their loved ones not to risk their lives on this dangerous journey," said Lt. Karolina Del Hierro Vega, a Coast Guard District Seven enforcement officer. "These Haitian sail vessels are not stable and unpredictable seas increase the chance of capsizing and loss of life."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 3,897 Haitian migrants compared to: 

  • 1,527 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2021
  • 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 migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention. 

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-USCG-