Coast Guard Interdicts ‘Grossly Overloaded’ Migrant Vessel, Sends 51 Migrants To Dominican Republic

The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 51 migrants to the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, after interdicting a makeshift vessel offshore Puerto Rico.

The Coast Guard said its watchstanders in San Juan “scrambled assets” after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection air crew spotted a “grossly overloaded makeshift vessel” off Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 5. The Coast Guard Cutter Doyle was diverted to interdict the vessel, and an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Borinquen was launched to provide search and rescue support.

The crew of the Joseph Doyle boarded a total of 51 migrants, including 34 Dominican nationals, two of whom were minors, and 17 Haitian nationals.

The adults were all transferred to Dominican Republic Navy authorities. The two minors were placed in the custody of the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI).

“This successful interdiction highlights the seamless interoperability between our cutters, CBP air and maritime crews, and our federal and local law enforcement partners within Homeland Security Task Force San Juan,” said Cmdr. Matthew Pinhey, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle commanding officer. “It also reflects our strong collaboration with the Dominican Republic Navy to stop dangerous, unlawful migration in the Mona Passage. These maritime ventures are inherently dangerous, often subjecting families to unseaworthy, grossly overloaded vessels with zero lifesaving equipment. Our shared priority remains protecting life at sea and securing our nation’s maritime borders from this threat.”