The US Coast Guard in Puerto Rico reported Tuesday the repatriation of 56 migrants from the Dominican Republic who were intercepted on a boat in poor condition and overloaded in the waters of the Mona Canal, near Puerto Rico.
The 30-foot (9.14-meter) vessel was spotted by the crew of a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft approximately 8 nautical miles (about 15 kilometers) southeast of the Puerto Rican island of Mona, according to the statement.
Coast Guardsmen dispatched patrolman Heriberto Hernandez to board the migrants, as well as an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter to provide air cover and rescue support due to the high probability that the boat would capsize.
"The intercepted vessel was in very poor condition, heavily overloaded and highly unstable. Fortunately, the quick response of all Coast Guard units saved people on this trip and prevented a tragic outcome."said Capt. José E. Díaz, commander of the San Juan Coast Guard Sector.
From October 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022, the Coast Guard intercepted 64 illegal voyages in the Mona Canal and Caribbean waters near Puerto Rico, with a total of 1,706 people on board, most of whom were nationals. Dominican and Haitian.
On May 12, the shipwreck of a boat loaded with Haitian migrants left 11 women dead and 38 survivors rescued, as well as an undetermined number of missing persons.
That ship capsized north of the Puerto Rican islet of Desecheo, located in the Mona Channel, which separates the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, a common migration route.