Photo Available: Coast Guard repatriates 120 people to Cuba

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/30/2022 02:08 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 120 people to Cuba

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a rustic vessel taking on water about 60 miles south of Marquesas Key, Florida, Sept. 24, 2020. The people were repatriated Sept. 30, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Miami aircrew) A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a rustic vessel about 40 miles south of Marquesas Key, Florida, Sept. 24, 2022. The people were repatriated Sept. 30, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Miami aircrew)

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

To download Cuban interdiction process video, click this link.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, about 12 miles south of Islamorada, Florida, Sept. 26, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba Sept. 30, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikayla McGee) A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, about 12 miles south of Islamorada, Florida, Sept. 26, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba Sept. 30, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)
A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a sailing vessel about 12 miles southeast of Islamorada, Florida, Sept. 25, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba Sept. 30, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee) A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a sailing vessel about 12 miles southeast of Islamorada, Florida, Sept. 25, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba Sept. 30, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee) A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a sailing vessel about 12 miles southeast of Islamorada, Florida, Sept. 25, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba Sept. 30, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)

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

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 Reliance's crew repatriated 120 Cubans to Cuba, Friday, following several interdictions off Florida's coast during Hurricane Ian. 

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a fishing vessel, Sept. 23, at approximately 8 a.m., about 20 miles south of Key West. 

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a paddle vessel, Saturday, at approximately 11:50 a.m., about 20 miles south of Boca Chica.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a rustic vessel taking on water, Saturday, at approximately 7:40 p.m., about 60 miles south of Marquesas Key.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a rustic vessel, Saturday, at approximately 7:50 p.m., about 40 miles south of Marquesas Key.    

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a sailing vessel, Sunday, at approximately 8:20 a.m., about 12 miles southeast of Islamorada.

A good Samaritan notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Sunday, at approximately 10:34 a.m., about 18 miles south of Marathon.

A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Monday, at approximately 12:30 a.m., about 12 miles south of Islamorada.

"Taking to the sea any time carries significant risk, taking to the sea during a hurricane is flat out reckless," said Capt. Robert Kinsey, Coast Guard District Seven. "We just had at least one unseaworthy vessel sink, and we are looking for 17 souls. We can only pray our crews find them so their families and loved ones can rest. Our air and surface crews are patrolling and are on the lookout to prevent illegal and unsafe ventures."

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews interdicted 6,182 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-