Haiti - Social: 25 Haitian Boat-people rescued off the coast of Florida
United States Coast Guard in Lake Worth Inlet, United States Customs Air and Marine Operations and Border Protection rescue teams came to the rescue of an overloaded 30-foot boat with 25 Haitian nationals on board (9 men, 9 women and 7 accompanied minors) after receiving a call for help to report that their boat was taking water.
The US Coast Guard patrol vessel "William R. Flores" (WPC-1103) attended the scene to tranship the 25 Haitian nationals. The interception took place about 30 miles northeast of Jupiter in South Florida after the Haitians issued a distress call indicating their boat was taking on water.
"No medical problems have been reported," the US Coast Guard said.
"Fortunately, people on this boat had a VHF radio to call for help as there was no rescue equipment on board," said Chief Petty Officer Jason Reynolds, duty officer in the command, pointing out "The risk of loss of life is too great to be able to go to sea aboard overloaded and unfit vessels without life-saving equipment."
