AMVER ship rescues 16 Cuban migrants (with VIDEO)

The following is the text of a news release from the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER):

(KEY WEST, Fla.) — The AMVER participating cruise ship Carnival Glory rescued 16 Cuban migrants after they were spotted in a homemade raft 99 miles south of Key West, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 11.

U.S. Coast Guard authorities in Key West originally received notification from the cruise ship Independence of the Seas that migrants were spotted in a rustic vessel in need of distress, but Independence of the Seas was managing its own onboard medical issue and could not rescue the migrants. Instead, the 951-foot Carnival Glory coordinated with the Coast Guard and safely rescued the 16 migrants. The male survivors had no medical conditions and were later transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Richard Etheridge.

To view a video of the rescue, click here.

By Professional Mariner Staff