Isla Mujeres, Q.R. — Ten people reported to be of Cuban nationality were rescued from their makeshift vessel in choppy seas Saturday night. The group were spotted floating off the coast of Quintana Roo by a passing cargo ship.
The Secretariat of the Navy reported assisting 10 people who were adrift at sea, 12 nautical miles (approximately 22 kilometers) south of Isla Mujeres.
“This action followed a report regarding the sighting of 10 individuals aboard a small, artisanal vessel that was adrift. In response, a Defender vessel from the Isla Mujeres Naval Search, Rescue, and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR) was deployed to safeguard human life at sea,” the agency confirmed.
The 10 people on board were all men. They were brought aboard the Mexican Navy vessel for transfer to the mainland while their boat was towed to shore.
“During the transfer, naval medical personnel assessed the health of all the individuals. One was found to be suffering from dehydration.”
The men were transported to the Fifth Naval Region headquarters and subsequently to the Advanced Naval Station in Puerto Juárez, where were handed over to personnel from the National Migration Institute (INM) to verify their immigration status, the Navy said.
Authorities did not provide information on where the group of 10 men were headed as their final destination.
