MIAMI — U.S Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) surface and air units interdicted a vessel carrying 240 aliens near Turks and Caicos Islands, Sunday.
Coast Guard Southeast District command center watchstanders received a report of an unlawful migrant voyage involving an overloaded vessel taking on water, 15 miles south of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Miami 144 aircrew, which assisted in guiding two Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment marine units to the scene.
RTCIPF marine units arrived on scene with the vessel, placed it in tow, and TCI Border Force took custody of the vessel and its occupants, reported to be 240 individuals claiming Haitian nationality.
“The successful interdiction and safe removal of these individuals from a perilous situation was made possible by the close collaboration and swift response of the Coast Guard, CBP AMO personnel, and authorities from the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said Lt. Chelsea Garcia, Coast Guard deputy director of Operations Bahamas Turks and Caicos. “We strongly advise anyone considering participating in an unlawful maritime migration attempt to reconsider. These journeys are extremely hazardous, frequently involving severely overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels that are often taking on water and lack basic life-saving equipment. We encourage all individuals to pursue safe, legal, and orderly avenues for migration rather than risking their lives at sea.”
The United States Coast Guard, along with its Operation Vigilant Sentry partners, maintains a continued presence with air, land, and sea assets in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage, and the Caribbean Sea. Operation Vigilant Sentry’s 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.
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