The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted an improvised vessel in Mona Passage, off the west coast of Puerto Rico, and repatriated 75 migrants to the Dominican Republic. Commander Matthew Pinhey of the Coast Guard cutter 'Joseph Doyle' stated that thanks to the teamwork of the Coast Guard and collaborating agencies, 77 people were rescued from an improvised and severely overloaded vessel.
Migrants Rescued
The operators of the Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a report from the crew of a Customs and Border Protection aircraft about an "overloaded" vessel, northwest of Aguadilla, a municipality in western Puerto Rico. Coast Guard controllers diverted the Coast Guard cutter 'Joseph Doyle' to intercept the suspicious vessel and ordered the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Borinquen Air Base to provide support in the search and rescue operations at the scene.
Subsequently, the crew of the Coast Guard cutter 'Joseph Doyle' intercepted the vessel and safely embarked 77 migrants, including four Haitians and 73 Dominicans, 65 men and eight women. Commander Matthew Romano, San Juan Sector response chief, warned that anyone thinking of making an illegal maritime journey: "Don't set sail!". "These voyages are extremely dangerous, as they are often made in vessels not suitable for navigation, heavily overloaded and without any rescue equipment. Additionally, anyone caught participating in them faces possible judicial proceedings or immediate repatriation," Romano asserted.
Migrant Route
The Mona Passage or Mona Channel, which separates Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, is a highly used migrant route by Dominicans and Haitians trying to reach Puerto Rico, a U.S. Associated Free State.
Credits: n.com.do
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