Coast Guard Intercepts Migrant Ship Off Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos repatriated 38 migrants to the Dominican Republic on Friday, after intercepting their boat on Thursday in Mona Passage waters near Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico.

The interception and repatriation is part of ongoing efforts by Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG) partner agencies to combat illegal migrant smuggling.

The aircrew of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection maritime patrol aircraft detected the boat on Friday morning, approximately 15 nautical miles northwest of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico. The Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos responded to the sighting and interdicted the 35-foot vessel with the assistance of the cutter’s small boat. According to a statement released by the Coast Guard, "the cutter’s crew safely embarked the migrants from the makeshift vessel that was grossly overloaded vessel and taking on water."

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, the migrants receive food, water and basic medical attention.

Capt. Gregory H. Magee, Commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, issued a warning, "to anyone considering taking part in an illegal voyage, don’t take to the sea! These voyages are extremely dangerous, the vessels are unseaworthy and most often grossly overloaded. Additionally, they have no lifesaving equipment and the conditions onboard are inhumane.”

Cutter Joseph Tezanos later rendezvoused with a Dominican Republic Navy vessel just off Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where the crew transferred and completed the repatriation of the migrants to Dominican Republic Navy authorities.

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