MIAMI — The crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber repatriated 10 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, Wednesday.
Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders were notified by the captain of the Coast Guard Cutter Thetis of a suspected migrant vessel south of Key West, Fla., Wednesday. The Thetis remained on scene until a Coast Guard Sector Key West boatcrew arrived and safely embarked the 10 suspected Cuban migrants.
The boatcrew safely transferred the suspected migrants to the cutter Thetis who later transferred them to the Bernard C. Webber for repatriation.
“Although much of the nation's attention is on the impact of sequestration, the United States Coast Guard's day-to-day, critical missions including migrant interdiction operations remain steadfast,” said Cmdr. Timothy Cronin, 7th Coast Guard District assistant chief of enforcement. “We continue to patrol vigilantly to rescue and repatriate undocumented migrants who take to the sea, and together with our partner agencies, will vigorously investigate and prosecute migrant smuggling and associated crimes. There is a controlled, safe, and legal means of migration to the United States. Failing to follow this process is illegal and needlessly endangers the lives of migrants and those sworn to protect our borders.”
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.
The cutter Bernard C. Webber is a 154-foot Fast Response Cutter, homeported in Miami.
The cutter Thetis is a 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter, homeported in Key West, Fla.
The Bernard C. Webber is the first of 58 new Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters. The FRC are capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots and operating in seas up to 18-feet. The speed and stability of the FRC delivers tremendous lifesaving, law enforcement and homeland security capabilities in the same package.