US Coast Guard rescues 55 Caribbean migrants stranded on Monito Island

The USA Coast Guard says it rescued 55 Caribbean migrants who have been left deserted and stranded by smugglers on the uninhabited pure reserve of Monito Island, Puerto Rico.

The US Coast Guard stated survivors comprise 45 males and 9 girls claiming Haitian nationality, and one man who claimed to be a Cuban nationwide.

All 55 migrants have been transferred to Ramey Sector US Border Patrol brokers in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

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It stated the rescue concerned efforts and coordination with Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG) associate businesses.

The US Coast Guard stated watch standers in San Juan, Puerto Rico obtained a communication from the aircrew of a Coast Guard HC-144 plane throughout a maritime patrol within the Mona Passage of a gaggle of individuals stranded on the rocky cliffs of Monito Island, positioned simply off Mona Island, Puerto Rico.

“Heavy sea-state circumstances of six-to-eight-foot seas and the issue of accessing the ocean cliffs prevented rescue efforts from going down till Thursday morning,” the US Coast Guard stated. “As soon as sea-state and wind circumstances improved, the cutter Heriberto Hernandez’s Over the Horizon boat safely approached Monito Island.

“The coast guard crew offered lifejackets to the group earlier than every migrant took their turns leaping into the water whereas holding onto a heaving line that was utilized by the crew to get better them from the water,” it added.

Captain José E. Díaz, US Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander, stated “the risks of unlawful voyages within the Mona Passage are exponentially elevated when smugglers depart their passengers deserted for days in austere and harmful environments like Monito Island.”

“Most don’t understand the hazard they’re in till it’s too late, as these voyages typically happen aboard makeshift and grossly overloaded vessels, with no lifesaving tools,” he added. “In case you are considering of collaborating in an unlawful voyage throughout the Mona Passage, don’t take to the ocean. It might save your life or the lifetime of your family members.”

Since October 1, 2022, by way of December 31, 2022, the US Coast Guard stated it has carried out 14 unlawful voyage interdictions within the Mona Passage and waters close to Puerto Rico.

It stated that interdicted throughout this era have been 419 non-US residents together with 327 Dominican Republic nationals, 91 Haitians and considered one of unknown nationality.

CMC/