Date: July 22, 2008

Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class James Harless 
(305) 415-6683

Coast Guard Rescues, Repatriates 107 Haitian Migrants

MIAMI - The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant repatriated 107 Haitian migrants to Cap Haitien, Haiti, Tuesday.

Crewmembers aboard the Vigilant located a grossly overloaded sail freighter approximately 19 miles southwest of Great Inagua, Bahamas, Sunday. The crew launched their smallboat and distributed life jackets before safely embarking 107 migrants.

Once aboard Coast Guard cutters, all migrants are provided with food, water, shelter and any necessary medical attention. 
 
The Coast Guard has interdicted 1,313 Haitian migrants since Oct. 1.

The Vigilant is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Port Canaveral, Fla.

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