🚨ICYMI - 240 LIVES SAVED DURING ILLEGAL MARITIME MIGRATION ATTEMPT!
On May 31, a Jacksonville Air and Marine Branch Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft detected a surface target of interest about 65 nautical miles south of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).
Air Interdiction Agents relayed information to TCI authorities and OPBAT partners, providing updated position, course, and speed reports.
The AMO aircrew conducted a successful over-the-air handoff of the STOI to a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) aircraft.
USCG aircrew reported the vessel had lost one engine, was slowly taking on water, and occupants were observed bailing 3–5 gallons of water per minute.
At approximately 9:00 pm, USCG reported the vessel was dead in the water and occupants continued to bail water using buckets.
TCI authorities declared a search and rescue case due to increased risk of capsizing and launched four maritime surface assets.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on June 1, TCI authorities successfully rescued/interdicted the STOI.
TCI authorities reported a total of 240 migrants onboard: 191 adult males, 44 adult females, and 5 minors.
The passengers and crew were taken by Turks and Caicos authorities and did not reach U.S. soil.