The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crew interdicted 67 Haitian migrants Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 approximately 32 miles northeast of Ile de la Tortue, Haiti. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant
MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crew repatriated 67 Haitian migrants Friday to Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
The Valiant crew interdicted the migrants Thursday approximately 32 miles northeast of Ile de la Tortue, Haiti.
“The Caribbean and Florida Straits are dangerous and unforgiving for migrants on illegal and ill-advised voyages in overloaded vessels,” said Capt. Jason Ryan, chief of enforcement for the Coast Guard 7th District. “The Coast Guard and its partner agencies continue to maintain a strong presence along our maritime border and will continue to interdict and rescue those who embark on these illegal voyages in unsafe vessels such as this one.”
Once aboard Coast Guard cutters, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and medical attention.
Approximately 179 Haitian migrants have attempted to illegally migrate to the U.S. via the maritime environment since the beginning of the 2018 fiscal year, which started Oct. 1, compared to 1,869 Haitian migrants in fiscal year 2017. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic.
The Valiant is a 210-foot multi-mission, medium endurance cutter homeported in Mayport, Florida. The cutter operates in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico for Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Missions include search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, marine environmental protection, homeland security, and national defense operations.
