U.S. COAST GUARD RETURNS 19 DOMINICANS AND 1 HAITIAN BACK TO HISPANIOLA

SAN JUAN — The Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell repatriated 19 Dominicans and returned one Haitian to the Dominican Republic Wednesday, following the interdiction of an illegal voyage in Mona Passage waters near Puerto Rico.

The interdiction is the result of ongoing local and federal multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Border Interagency Group CBIG.

“The Coast Guard and our partners Caribbean Border Interagency Group employ our collective resources daily to detect and interdict illegal voyages in the Mona Passage,” said Cmdr. Beau Powers, Sector San Juan chief of response. “To those looking to take part in an illegal voyage, we urge you to not take to the sea! Crossing the Mona Passage aboard a grossly overloaded makeshift boat with no lifesaving equipment is one perilous voyage. You will not only be risking your life, but if interdicted, you may be prosecuted or returned to your country of origin.”

During a routine patrol late Sunday night, the crew of a Customs and Border Protection CBP Marine Enforcement Aircraft detected a suspect vessel, approximately 25 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan diverted the Coast Guard Cutters Richard Dixon and Valiant to intercept the suspect vessel. Shortly thereafter, the cutter Valiant interdicted a 25-foot makeshift boat that was transporting the group of Dominicans and Haitian, who were safely embarked by the crew and later transferred to the cutter Margaret Norvell.

The cutter Margaret Norvell completed the repatriation during a rendezvous with a Dominican Republic Navy vessel near Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Throughout the interdiction Coast Guard crewmembers were equipped with Personal Protective Equipment to minimize potential exposure to any possible case of COVID-19. No migrants were reported to have any COVID-19 related symptoms.