DECEMBER 19, 2024 – Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark’s crew repatriated 43 people to Cuba, Wednesday, following two interdictions in the Florida Straits.
A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 aircrew notified Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders of a migrant vessel, Dec. 11, approximately 50 miles south of Marathon.
Sector Key West watchstanders received a report from a good Samaritan of a makeshift vessel, Sunday, approximately 47 miles southwest of Islamorada. The good Samaritan rescued five people in the water after the makeshift vessel capsized.
“The Coast Guard and our state and local partners are patrolling this holiday season to detect and interdict unlawful maritime migration,” said Lt. Thomas Pease, a Coast Guard Seventh District enforcement officer. “Despite the relatively warm waters of the Florida Keys and the Caribbean, water temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s still pose a hypothermia risk from prolonged exposure.”
Anyone attempting unlawful maritime migration will be rescued and repatriated to their country of origin or departure.
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, migrants are processed to determine their identity and are provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before repatriation to their country of origin or return to the country from which they departed.
The Coast Guard, along with its Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast partners, maintains a continual presence with air, land, and sea assets in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage, and the Caribbean Sea in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry.
The HSTF-SE combined, multi-layered approach is designed to protect the safety of life at sea while preventing unlawful maritime entry to the United States and its territories.
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Coast Guard Seventh District – 305-781-6922