Coast Guard Interdicts, Repatriates 131 Haitian Migrants

Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant interdicted 131 Haitian migrants aboard a grossly overloaded sail-freighter Saturday, 35 miles west of Great Inagua, Bahamas. (USCG photo)

MIAMI - The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant repatriated 131 Haitian migrants to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday.

Valiant's crew located a Haitian sail-freighter with an unknown number of people aboard while conducting a law-enforcement patrol about 35 miles west of Great Inagua, Bahamas, Saturday morning.

Valiant crewmembers launched the ship's two small boats and discovered 117 men and 14 women aboard the sail-freighter. The 131 Haitian migrants were safely transported to the Valiant and the Haitian sail-freighter was destroyed as a hazard to navigation.

The Coast Guard has interdicted 627 Haitian migrants since Oct. 1, 2007.

Once aboard Coast Guard cutters, all migrants are given food, water, shelter and any necessary medical attention.

The Valiant is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Miami Beach, Fla.

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