MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island repatriated 11 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, Saturday.
Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., watchstanders received a report from a Customs and Border Protection maritime patrol aircraft of a rustic vessel southwest of Key West. Sector Key West diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant to respond and the Valiant safely embarked 11 Cuban migrants from the unseaworthy vessel.
The migrants were then transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island for repatriation.
"Illegal migrant ventures at sea are both risky and dangerous," said Capt. Brendan McPherson, 7th Coast Guard District chief of enforcement. "The Coast Guard will continue to put a high priority on patrolling offshore to prevent illegal migration and rescue those who put themselves at risk aboard unseaworthy rafts and rusticas."
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.
The Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island is a 110-foot patrol boat, homeported in Key West.
The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter, homeported in Mayport, Fla.
For more information on how to legally immigrate to the United States, call U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-800-375-5283 or visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.