At this point, we are feeling great. Fabulous weather. Great snorkeling. Great sites. We really didn’t think the trip to the Dry Tortugas could be topped and then it happened.
As we sat eating breakfast out in the cockpit, we saw a boat from the national park service tow a raft into shore. This wasn’t just any raft, however. This was a homemade raft made by 11 refugees who had fled Cuba and landed in the Dry Tortugas. Who’d have thunk??
The Coast Guard then arrived. Unfortunately, they didn’t bring their cutter into the key but they did bring their launch in to pick up the refugees and take them to Key West. Apparently, as long as refugees land on shore under their own power they have the option of staying in the US. Any refugees intercepted while still at sea are returned to their home port. So a first rate day for 11 men from Cuba.
Oddly enough, over the last several days the Coast Guard has been announcing frequently on the radio that boats who see rafts are to report them immediately. Additionally, we’ve heard chatter of at least one boat who came across what was thought to be a refugee raft. Lots of activity as of late it seems. Why? I am not certain.
The Admiral
4/1/09
As we sat eating breakfast out in the cockpit, we saw a boat from the national park service tow a raft into shore. This wasn’t just any raft, however. This was a homemade raft made by 11 refugees who had fled Cuba and landed in the Dry Tortugas. Who’d have thunk??
The Coast Guard then arrived. Unfortunately, they didn’t bring their cutter into the key but they did bring their launch in to pick up the refugees and take them to Key West. Apparently, as long as refugees land on shore under their own power they have the option of staying in the US. Any refugees intercepted while still at sea are returned to their home port. So a first rate day for 11 men from Cuba.
Oddly enough, over the last several days the Coast Guard has been announcing frequently on the radio that boats who see rafts are to report them immediately. Additionally, we’ve heard chatter of at least one boat who came across what was thought to be a refugee raft. Lots of activity as of late it seems. Why? I am not certain.
The Admiral
4/1/09
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