Coast Guard locates 55 Cuban migrants off Florida coast, sends them back to country

The United States Coast Guard reported 55 Cuban migrants located off the coast of Florida over the past week were sent back to their home country on Wednesday.

– Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a "rustic vessel" approximately 50 miles south of Boca Chica around 12:10 p.m. Saturday, October 1. A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this rustic vessel about 50 miles south of Boca Chica, Florida, Oct. 1, 2022. The people were repatriated to Cuba on Oct. 5, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Cutter William Flores’ crew) A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of this rustic vessel taking on water, Monday, at approximately 7:30 a.m., about 30 miles south of Islamorada. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Miami’s crew) A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Sector Key West of a rustic vessel, Monday, at approximately 8:20 a.m., about 30 miles south of Plantation Key. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Miami’s crew)

– USCGC William Flores' crew alerted Sector Key West of a migrant vessel approximately 10 miles south of Long Key around 6 a.m. Monday, October 3.

– Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Sector Key West to a "rustic vessel" taking on water approximately 30 miles south of Islamorada on Monday, October 3.