Call from Member of the Public Leads to Rescue of Cuban Migrants South of South West Point

From RCIPS Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 11:35 AM

Just after 10AM yesterday, 1 February, a sailing vessel en route to Panama alerted Port Authority of an old wooden boat with several persons on board flying a white flag. Persons on board were observed bailing water from the vessel. Port Authority informed the 9-1-1 Communications Centre, who then alerted the RCIPS Joint Marine Unit of the situation. The wooden boat was described as being about 4 miles south of South West Point and being pulled west by the wind.

The JMU vessel, the Niven D, departed from South Sound and reached the sinking boat within 25 minutes. All persons on board indicated that they wished to disembark from the vessel and come onshore. Four women and eleven men were taken onboard the Niven D and conveyed without injury to the Red Bay Dock where they were met by Immigration officers.

“We believe that the coordination of first responders with the public in this instance helped avert a water tragedy,” said Inspector Leo Anglin, RCIPS Marine Commander. “We would like to remind the boating community to be aware of the fact that they may encounter such situations when out on the water, and to inform the Port Authority or the 9-1-1 Communications Centre right away if they do.”

Cayman police report Cuban migrants landed and some have gone missing

UPDATE: From RCIPS Sun, Jan 31, 2016 at 3:50 PM

At 3:30pm, one of the five missing individuals returned now leaving four males missing

From RCIPS  Sun, Jan 31, 2016 at 2:06 PM

During the past 24 hours, a number of migrants have entered the Cayman Islands waters mainly around Cayman Brac.

A number of these individuals have been transported from The Brac to Grand Cayman, however a few still remain on their vessels moored off Grand Cayman. At this time local authorities are dealing with the matter, however it was discovered today that at least five males are missing from the group. All efforts are being made to locate these individuals and the Department of Immigration is seeking the public’s assistance in trying to locate these persons.

Information is that they may be located in the Beach Bay Area. There is no specific description at this time but persons who may have sighted these persons or are aware of their location is to contact 911 or the following numbers 5260480 / 5260433