Distressed homemade vessel with Cuban immigrants capsizes. All rescued by first responders and citizens.
St. Lucie County, Fl (treasurecoast.com) -Eight Cuban immigrants who were at sea for more than 16-days are recovering after their makeshift vessel capsized off of St. Lucie County.
The St. Lucie County and Martin County Sheriff’s Office both received calls Sunday night, with reports of a distressed vessel trying to make its way to shore just south of Waveland Beach in St. Lucie County.
MCSO’s Air1 located the vessel and directed St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office deputies to the specific area. As first responders headed to the location, the vessel took on a large wave. As you can see in the Air1 Video, the vessel capsized throwing the six men and two pregnant females into the water.
photo: Rebecca Fatzinger
photo: Rebecca Fatzinger
SLCSO Deputies, SLC Fire Rescue workers, and civilians all worked to rescue the passengers.
Everyone was located and brought to shore. All eight were transported to local hospitals and are in stable condition.
Federal authorities will now determine if any further immigration action will be taken.
Watch the dramatic Martin County Sheriff Office Video here.