The United States Coast Guard, in collaboration with the Dominican Republic Navy, rescued 61 migrants from a sinking, overloaded vessel early Monday morning off the coast of the Dominican Republic. The rescue occurred approximately 12 nautical miles northwest of Cabo Cabron.
Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser detected the 30-foot makeshift vessel taking on water around 5:50 a.m. while navigating Dominican territorial waters. Upon arrival at the scene, the crew confirmed the vessel was rapidly sinking and began to evacuate the passengers. An MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen and a Dominican Air Force aircraft provided additional support during the operation.
Dominican Navy patrol boats Capella CG-108 and Algenib Ll-169 joined the effort, successfully rescuing all 61 individuals aboard the distressed vessel. The nationalities of the migrants have yet to be confirmed.
Cmdr. Matthew Romano, chief of response for Sector San Juan, praised the swift actions of the Coast Guard and Dominican forces, stating, “Thanks to the rapid response…61 lives were saved.” He cautioned against the dangers of using smugglers for ocean crossings, warning that such illegal voyages are on the rise and could lead to dire consequences for those involved.
This incident follows a similar event just a week prior, when a migrant vessel capsized in the Mona Pass, resulting in 49 rescues and three recoveries of deceased individuals, with several others still unaccounted for.
The Coast Guard noted that migrants intercepted at sea or apprehended on land will not be permitted to stay in the United States or its territories. Illegal arrivals may face repatriation or loss of eligibility for legal immigration options.
The recent rescue effort is part of ongoing operations supported by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, aimed at combating human smuggling and trafficking. This initiative involves collaboration among various federal agencies, including the FBI, ICE, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, among others.
The Coast Guard continues to maintain a strong presence in maritime regions critical to preventing unlawful entry into the U.S., employing air, land, and sea resources throughout the Florida Straits, Windward Passage, and Caribbean Sea.
