Imagery Release: Coast Guard repatriates 55 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/17/2022 12:56 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
Office: 305-415-6683
After Hours: 305-202-3735
7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard repatriates 55 people to Cuba

Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 25 miles south of Big Pine Key, Florida, June 11, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 17, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) Coast Guard Station Miami's crew alerted Sector Miami watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 15 miles southeast of Government Cut, Miami, Florida, June 12, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba June 17, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard Station Miami Beach photo) A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel about 13 miles south of Marquesas Key, Florida, June 12, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 17, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant's small boat crew transports people to the ship about 25 miles south of Big Pine Key, Florida, June 11, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 17, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 17 miles south of Boca Chica, Florida, June 13, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 17, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Cutter Issac Mayo's crew) https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7278140/coast-guard-repatriates-55-people-cuba

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

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Issac Mayo's crew repatriated 55 Cubans to Cuba, Friday, following interdictions off the Florida Keys.

Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Saturday, at approximately 6:30 p.m., about 25 miles south of Big Pine Key.

Coast Guard Station Miami's crew alerted Sector Miami watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Sunday, at approximately 10:15 a.m., about 15 miles southeast of Government Cut.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Sunday, at approximately 2:30 p.m., about 13 miles south of Marquesas Key.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Monday, at approximately 12:15 p.m., about 17 miles south of Boca Chica.

Coast Guard Air Station Miami's HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Tuesday, at approximately 10 p.m., about 20 miles southwest of Elbow Cay, Bahamas.

"Seek a safe, legal path to immigration rather than enduring the dangers of the high seas," said Lt. Cmdr. Tanner Stiehl, Coast Guard Seventh District. "The possibility of being stopped by Coast Guard crews while illegally migrating through the Caribbean Sea is high."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 2,464 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. 

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-USCG-