MIAMI – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant repatriated 10 Haitian migrants to Cap Haitien, Haiti, Saturday, after they were located at sea on a 30-foot cuddy cabin vessel Tuesday.
While conducting a routine patrol in the Florida Straights, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk discovered a cuddy cabin vessel 20 miles south of Freeport, Bahamas. In a joint effort, the Coast Guard Cutters Gannet and Nantucket were diverted, distributed life jackets to the migrants and safely transferred the nine men and one woman to the cutter Valiant.
To date in fiscal year 2010, which began Oct. 1, 2009, the Coast Guard has interdicted 569 Haitian migrants.
Once aboard the cutters, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical care.
The Cutter Valiant is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Miami.
The Cutter Mohawk is a a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Key West, Fla.
The Cutter Gannet is an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The cutter Nantucket is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in St. Petersburg, Fla.