MIAMI — Approximately 55 Haitians are being rescued by Coast Guard and Turks and Caicos rescue crews, 100 meters off the South Dock in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, Wednesday.
Approximately 55 Haitian migrants fell into the water Wednesday morning when their overloaded sail freighter capsized off the coast of Providenciales.
The incident was reported from Turks and Caicos police to Coast Guard 7th District command center watchstanders Wednesday morning. Turks and Caicos officials reported they were on scene with the sail freighter when it capsized. Turks and Caicos police rescued 32 migrants and are continuing rescue efforts for any missing people in the water.
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., MH-60 helicopter crew attached to Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos, a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans, MH-65 helicopter crew was immediately launched to search for possible additional people in the water. A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130, the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge and Coast Guard Cutter Spencer are also en-route to assist.
The Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge is a 154-foot Fast Response Cutter, homeported in Miami.
The Coast Guard Cutter Spencer is a 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter homeported in Boston.
MIAMI — At least 10 Haitian migrants are reported dead and approximately 100 are being rescued by Coast Guard and Royal Bahamian Defense Force rescue crews 15 nautical miles southwest of Staniel Cay, Bahamas, Tuesday.
More than 100 Haitian migrants fell into the water Monday night when their overloaded sail freighter grounded and capsized off coast of Staniel Cay.
The incident was reported by the Royal Bahamian Defense Force and relayed to Coast Guard 7th District command center watchstanders Monday evening. The migrants were clinging to the hull of the grounded 40-foot sail freighter when rescue crews arrived.
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., MH-60 helicopter crew attached to Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos responded and hoisted 13 people from the water after deploying a mass rescue raft. A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 aircrew and an Air Station Clearwater HC-130 dropped food, supplies and eight additional life rafts to provide assistance.
The Royal Bahamian Defense Force launched a 108-foot patrol boat to assist with the rescue of Haitians from the overloaded sail freighter.
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