MIAMI – Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evan's crew repatriated 16 aliens to Cuba, Tuesday, following a maritime interdiction approximately 15 miles southwest of Gun Cay, Bahamas.
A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 aircrew detected the 25-foot makeshift vessel, Friday, and notified Coast Guard Sector Miami command center watchstanders.
Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders diverted the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Manowar to interdict the vessel.
“Our Coast Guard crew members continue to prioritize the safety of life sea while providing the upmost security to our nation’s border integrity as the nation’s premiere maritime law enforcement agency,” said Senior Chief Brodie MacDonald, officer-in-charge of the Coast Guard Cutter Manowar. “We will continue to faithfully execute our border security mission across the Florida Straits and Caribbean Sea.”
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, aliens 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 of their departure.
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's 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.
Anyone attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea will be interdicted and repatriated, consistent with U.S. law and policy.
Since the beginning of fiscal year 2025, on Oct. 1, Coast Guard crews repatriated a total of 98 aliens to Cuba, compared to 749 aliens to Cuba in FY24.
To learn more about the OVS mission, watch these videos:
Visit our Newsroom for Seventh Coast Guard District press releases. Visit our DVIDS account for Seventh Coast Guard District imagery.
For breaking news, follow us on X (formerly Twitter). For additional information, find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.
-USCG-