Multimedia Release: Coast Guard repatriates 89 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/23/2022 02:16 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

Multimedia Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
Office: 305-415-6683
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Coast Guard repatriates 89 people to Cuba

A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 60 miles south of Boca Chica, Florida, June 21, 2022 The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 23, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sexton's (WPC 1108) boat crew interdicted a rustic vessel about 68 miles south of Key West, Florida, June 20, 2022.The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 23, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Clearwater aircrew) U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sexton's (WPC 1108) boat crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel partially submerged about 9 miles south of Boot Key, June 20, 2022.The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 23, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 17 miles south of Key West, Florida, June 19, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 23, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Miami) A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 76 miles southwest of Marquesas Key, Florida, June 19, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on June 23, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Miami)

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

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Issac Mayo's crew repatriated 89 Cubans to Cuba, Thursday, following seven interdictions off the Florida Keys.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of people in the water, Sunday, at approximately 7 a.m., about 1 mile south of Fort Zachary Taylor Beach. Coast Guard search crews recovered one body deceased. 

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Sunday, at approximately 8 p.m., about 76 miles southwest of Marquesas Key.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Sunday, at approximately 8:15 p.m., about 17 miles south of Key West.

Coast Guard Cutter Sexton's crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel partially submerged, Monday, at approximately 6 a.m., about 9 miles south of Boot Key.

Coast Guard Cutter Sexton's crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Monday, at approximately 6:30 p.m., about 68 miles south of Key West. The crew reported one person deceased. 

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of people in the water, Tuesday, at approximately 1 p.m., about 60 miles south of Boca Chica. 

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations boat crew alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Tuesday, at approximately 5:15 p.m., about 11 miles south of Marquesas Key.

"Since Oct. 1, 2021, the Coast Guard has recorded 39 confirmed deaths from people illegally migrating in unsafe, overloaded and rustic vessels," said Coast Guard Chief of Response Capt. Benjamin Golightly, Coast Guard District Seven. "Seek a safe, legal way to immigrate rather than enduring the dangers of the high seas because even one death is too many."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 2,691 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-