MIAMI, Jun. 12, CMC – The United States Coast Guard on Wednesday said the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell transferred 20 Cuban nationals to The Bahamas on Tuesday following a rescue on Anguilla Cay, The Bahamas.
According to the US Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations Miami agents notified Seventh Coast Guard District watchstanders of a possible group of migrants stranded on Anguilla Cay on Friday.
A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew located the stranded migrants on the uninhabited island and dropped food, water and a radio to establish communications.
The Bahamian authorities then requested assistance in rescuing the group.
The US Coast Guard said the crew from its Cutter Walnut arrived on scene and brought the migrants aboard due to “safety of life at sea concerns pending their disposition.”
“The Coast Guard continues to work daily with our state, federal, and international partners to stop illegal maritime migration voyages and to prevent the unnecessary loss of life at sea,” said Lieutenant Fernando Pla, a duty enforcement officer for Seventh Coast Guard District.
“Anyone attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea will be interdicted and repatriated to their country of origin or departure,” he added.
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, the US Coast Guard said 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.
