More than a dozen Cuban migrants rescued at sea in Keys; several taken to hospital

Posted on Wednesday, 09.10.14

More than a dozen Cuban migrants rescued at sea in Keys; several taken
to hospital
BY CAMMY CLARK
CCLARK@MIAMIHERALD.COM

A small blue homemade boat with a blue-and-white sail was discovered
floating near Alligator Reef Lighthouse, about four miles offshore of
Islamorada, on Wednesday. Crammed inside the motorless vessel were 16
Cuban migrants lying down, suffering from dehydration, according to the
U.S. Coast Guard.

Seven were unresponsive and taken by boat to Mariners Hospital in nearby
Tavernier. Their conditions are not known. The other nine were taken to
a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, said Chief Ryan Doss, spokesperson with the
U.S. Coast Guards 7th District.

Initial reports said the people had been out to sea for 10 days on the
boat that appeared to be only about 12- to 15-feet long. The past few
days in the Keys also have been stormy, with rough seas.

The migrants, some wearing yellow life jackets, were first spotted about
12:15 p.m. by a boater, who notified local authorities.

The seven Cubans who were brought to shore will be able to stay in the
United States under the federal government's wet-foot, dry-foot policy.
The other nine who were taken to a Coast Guard cutter will be
repatriated, U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Ensign Peter Bermont told The
Reporter.

Under the nearly two decades old wet-foot, dry-foot policy, Cubans who
reach land can remain in the United States, while those caught at sea
are returned to Cuba.

Source: More than a dozen Cuban migrants rescued at sea in Keys; several
taken to hospital - Florida Keys - MiamiHerald.com -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/09/10/4340594/more-than-a-dozen-cuban-migrants.html