Search called off for Cuban migrant in Keys

Search called off for Cuban migrant in Keys

Eleven Cuban migrants arrived off the coast of Key West
One migrant was missing but couldn't be found
More than 2,000 Cubans have attempted to reach the United States by sea
since Oct. 1
BY AUDRA D.S. BURCH AND CARLI TEPROFF
aburch@miamiherald.com

A search for a missing Cuban migrant was called off late Wednesday after
Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission crews
combed more than 2,000 nautical miles with no result, according to the
Coast Guard.

"We found no evidence as to whether he was still in distress or made it
to land," Petty Officer Mark Barney said Wednesday night.

Authorities received a report about 11 Cuban migrants arriving on Man
Key Wednesday. The migrants said two other men had left and were last
seen swimming toward Key West. Naval Air Station Key West launched a
UH-60 helicopter crew, rescuing one of the migrants off Crawfish Key.

Coast Guard air and boat crews, and members of the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission, searched for the missing migrant
Wednesday to no avail.

Since Oct. 1, the Coast Guard officials estimate, about 2,065 Cubans
have attempted to illegally migrate by sea — the total number of at-sea
interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the
Caribbean and Atlantic.

"The Coast Guard continues to strongly discourage attempts to illegally
enter the country by taking to the sea," said Capt. Mark Fedor, Coast
Guard 7th District Chief of Enforcement. "These trips are extremely
dangerous and could lead to loss of life."

Source: Search called off for Cuban migrant in Keys | Miami Herald -
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article60872542.html