Photos Available: Coast Guard repatriates 99 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/15/2022 02:34 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 99 people to Cuba

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 law enforcement aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel about 30 miles south of Islamorada, Florida, Sept. 10, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Sept. 15, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) Coast Guard Cutter Diligence's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this vessel about 15 miles south of Key West, Florida, Sept. 13, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Sept. 15, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Office 3rd Class Cayne Wattigney)
A Coast Guard Cutter Diligence small boat crew brings people back to the cutter after being stopped in a rustic vessel about 15 miles south of Key West, Florida, Sept. 13, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Sept. 16, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cayne Wattingey) Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent's crew notified Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 45 miles south of Marquesas Key, Florida, Sept. 13, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Sept. 15, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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

To download Cuban interdiction process video, click this link.

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

Para personas que residen en los EE.UU buscando información sobre un familiar posiblemente interceptado por la Guardia Costera, por favor comuníquese con su representante gubernamental local. 

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark's crew repatriated 99 Cubans to Cuba, Thursday, following several interdictions off Florida's coast. 

A good Samaritan notified Sector Miami watchstanders of a disabled sailing vessel, Saturday, at approximately 4 p.m., about 20 miles southeast of Government Cut. 

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry law enforcement aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Monday, at approximately 9:45 a.m, about 30 miles south of Islamorada.

Coast Guard Cutter Diligence's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Monday, at approximately 12:50 a.m., about 15 miles south of Key West.

Coast Guard Cutter Manowar's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Monday, at approximately 8:10 a.m., about 30 miles south of Marquesas Key.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations law enforcement aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Tuesday, at approximately 2 a.m., about 30 miles south of Lower Matecumbe Key.

Coast Guard Cutter Diligence's crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Tuesday, at approximately 11:15 a.m., about 15 miles south of Key West.

Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent's crew notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel, Tuesday, at approximately 11:20 a.m., about 45 miles south of Marquesas Key.

Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent's crew notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a fishing vessel, Tuesday, at approximately 3:15 p.m., about 50 miles south of Dry Tortugas.

"Tropical Storm Fiona is formed and will have impacts across the Caribbean," said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Cobb, Coast Guard District Seven. "If people chose to attempt to illegally migrate to the U.S. this time it won't be a matter of if lives are lost, but when."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 5,689 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-