The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous repatriated 172 Haitian migrants to Cap Haitien, Tuesday.

While on patrol Friday, a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew spotted an first overloaded Haitian sail freighter near the Bahamas. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence was diverted and interdicted the sail freighter north of Punta Maisi, Cuba. Confidence crewmembers provided life jackets and safely embarked 60 Haitian migrants.

Then Saturday while on patrol Saturday, a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew spotted an second overloaded Haitian sail freighter near the Bahamas. The crews of the Coast Guard Cutters Northland and Vigorous arrived on scene and distributed life jackets. The Vigorous crew embarked 112 Haitian migrants.

All the migrants were later transferred to the cutter Vigorous for repatriation. Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, migrants are provided food, water, shelter and basic medical care. Haitian migrants, including 45 women were handed over to the Civil Protection of the Cap-Haitien.

HL/ HaitiLibre