Coast Guard Cutter Decisive completes dry dock, back to work. Coast Guard Cutter Decisive was dry docked for only seven days at the Coast Guard Yard, March 14-21, before it set sail on several missions which proved to be highly successful. The crew of Decisive identified a Haitian sail freighter with 70 people aboard approximately 35 miles east of Punta Masi, Cuba, April 13. The master of the vessel claimed they departed la Tortue, April 11, and were enroute to Miami. Decisive embarked 108 migrants. Coast Guard District Seven granted a statement of no objection to destroy the vessel as a hazard to navigation. Decisive then interdicted a Haitian sail freighter 30 nautical miles east of Punta Masi, Cuba with 109 Haitian migrants aboard, April 15. Three days later a good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West, of a migrant vessel with 13 people aboard on board, 20 miles south of Marathon, Fla. Sector Key West launched a response boat and diverted Decisive to interdict the migrant vessel. The response boat arrived on scene and embarked 13 Cuban migrants, then transferred them to the Decisive. Decisive transferred all 13 migrants to Coast Guard Cutter Resolute. For more information on the dry dock contact Kristen Soper at the Coast Guard Yard.
Coast Guard assists 2 aboard vessels taking on water. Coast Guard Station South Padre members received a phone call at 1:50 p.m., May 15, from a good Samaritan assisting two people aboard a 20-foot pontoon boat taking on water 500 yards offshore in the Laguna Madre near South Padre Island, Texas. The crew safely towed the pontoon boat to Isla Blanca Boat Ramp. “This case exemplifies the importance of boaters staying vigilant and looking out for each other on the water," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Alfredo Benavidez, coxswain for the case. "We want to give today's good Samaritan a shout-out for being so willing to help fellow boaters out of a dangerous situation." Read more.
Coast Guard rescues 18-year-old from flooded vessel. The Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi rescued an 18-year-old boater from a flooded vessel in Port Aransas, Texas, May 14. The crew brought the man aboard just before the pleasure craft capsized, then transported him back to Station Port Aransas. The boater sustained no injuries. "This [person’s] preparedness was vital to the positive outcome of this case," said Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Ferguson, command duty officer, Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi. "His decision to wear a life jacket is one we hope will inspire and motivate other boaters. Drowning poses a risk to everyone on the water, and a life jacket can mean the difference between life and death." Read more.
Coast Guard repatriates 207 people to Haiti. The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell's crew repatriated 207 Haitians to Cap-Haitien, Haiti, May 11, after being stopped approximately 20 miles south of Turks and Caicos. A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater C-130 air crew and Campbell's crew spotted the overloaded vessel and deployed their small boat with life jackets to give to the passengers due to safety of life at sea concerns. "We are urging families in the U.S. to ask their loved ones not to risk their lives on this dangerous journey," said Cmdr. Anne O'Connell, Coast Guard Cutter Campbell commanding officer. "These Haitian sail vessels are not stable and unpredictable seas increase the chance of capsizing and loss of life." Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 4,449 Haitian migrants. Read more.
Coast Guard repatriates 75 people to Cuba. The Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark's crew repatriated 75 Cubans to Cuba, May 7, following three interdictions off the Florida Keys. A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic vessel. "The risk for loss of life is great when attempting these illegal migrations in unpredictable seas and on unsafe, rustic vessels," said Lt. E'Bria Karega, Coast Guard District Seven legal representative. Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 1,609 Cubans. Read more.