PEARL>>>>Saves A Boat full of Cubans

[Tracyisme]

What a wonderful thing I was witness too! On March 20, We were on route back to Miami after a five day Spring break cruise....a wild cruise at that!!

 

People were gathering on the side of the ship and were talking about a boat full of people floating aimlessly. Suddenly the ship turned around and we were fortunate to watch the crew pull 24 Cuban folks from their tired lil vessel.

 

What an amazing thing to witness! :)

 

Cudos to NCL!!!

 

A few hours later, the coast guard came and took the folks to Key West.

[linnealee]

Here's a pic I took from my balcony of a few of them being taken away. Felt bad for them, people kept asking if they were going to go to jail and be arrested. Other people said they saw the boat and the ship went past it like they didn't exist.

 

[chengkp75]

Here's a pic I took from my balcony of a few of them being taken away. Felt bad for them, people kept asking if they were going to go to jail and be arrested. Other people said they saw the boat and the ship went past it like they didn't exist.

 

 

The latest I've heard is that since the people were intercepted by the USCG (via NCL) while on the water, they will be deported back to Cuba.

 

NCL would not normally stop unless some form of distress signal was made, and even then, not before notifying the USCG of the distress. The USCG would then advise the ship to either just stay in the vicinity, or to take the people onboard if the boat appeared to be in danger of sinking, until the CG arrived on scene. Personnel transfers at sea can be dangerous, so unless the boat appeared to be sinking, or the weather exceptionally calm, they normally would only remain on scene to render aid if necessary. As cold as it may seem, a lot of this is a liability issue, and a security concern as well, as these folks have no ID, and once onboard, you never know what may happen.

 

I've been on a couple of ships that have been directed by the USCG towards boats in the Straits that we weren't close enough to see, and ordered to remain on station until the cutter from Key West could arrive.

Edited March 22, 2014 by chengkp75

[meatball_nyc]

Wow. Good for NCL to help them out.

Thanks for the posts!

 

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

[david_sobe]

They did not want to be taken by a cruise ship even though it was the right thing to do. The wet foot/dry foot policy of the United States permits Cubans to stay in the USA if they make it to shore. If they are intercepted at sea, they get processed in ICE detention and shipped back to Cuba.

This policy change was result of the mass exit from Cuba where so many were risking their lives floating on rafts, doors, wood, or small boats trying to reach the Florida shore. So of course it was the right thing to do, they are not too happy. NCL sort of crushed their American dreams. They will be returned to Cuba in custody. They wont face any charges here. Sometimes the occupants on the boat will fight the coast guard and try to resist. Hopefully everyone is ok and safe.

Edited March 22, 2014 by david_sobe

[DevCruise]

They wont face any charges here. Sometimes the occupants on the boat will fight the coast guard and try to resist. Hopefully everyone is ok and safe.

 

While they might not face charges in the US. I can't imagine Cuba being too happy with them.

[david_sobe]

While they might not face charges in the US. I can't imagine Cuba being too happy with them.

Exactly....that is why as crazy as it sounds, they are not happy to be "rescued." Lord knows what happens when they are returned to Cuba. Most likely will try again someday.

If there was a smuggler involved...he will be charged. Very serious federal offense.

[Tracyisme]

The folks are this boat were flying a white flag, I am assuming that they wanted help....

 

How would they be returned to CUBA? They would be taken there by US authorities? or Cuba would come get them?? I thought that US had no relations with CUBA...forgive my question I am Canadian..I would think that if it were as easy as being picked up by a cruise ship, we would see this every time we are on a ship.

 

So very sad that folks will risk their lives to leave..still was one of the most amazing things I have seen happen while on a ship..

[david_sobe]

The folks are this boat were flying a white flag, I am assuming that they wanted help....

 

How would they be returned to CUBA? They would be taken there by US authorities? or Cuba would come get them?? I thought that US had no relations with CUBA...forgive my question I am Canadian..I would think that if it were as easy as being picked up by a cruise ship, we would see this every time we are on a ship.

 

So very sad that folks will risk their lives to leave..still was one of the most amazing things I have seen happen while on a ship..

If they were waving the white flag then they were in desperate need of help. The sun and or lack of water or someone needing medical attention. Very common to need a rescue. The USA does not have diplomatic relations with Cuba but have agreements on such issues. Prior to 1994 all Cubans rescued at sea were allowed to stay in the United States. In 1994 there was a mass exodus from Cuba where people by the droves were risking their lives on rafts, small boats or anything that could float. Here in Florida wooden doors would wash up on the beaches or homemade rafts. To stop or slow the exodus and save lives the United States changed their policy. In 1999 an entire boatload of Cubans perished trying to get to the United States. The only survivor was a small child named Elian Gonzalez. It is extremely dangerous and many have lost their lives attempting to get to the United States. There are still many Cubans that make it to shore all the time in south Florida. They are welcome to stay. The Cubans caught at sea will be taken by the US Coast Guard and processed with ICE (immigration). From there they will be deported back to Cuba.

The irony is if Haitians or Jamaicans or any other nationality lands ashore, they are instantly sent back. Cubans have special status in the United States. Some call this policy very discriminatory.

[cruisingcasinos]

Not to hijack this thread but I was on the EPIC in March and during the night on our way to costa maya - I felt the vibrations (AFT PH) as if we were pulling into port- My DH and I knew it was much too early for port (2:30 am) He looked outside but couldn't see anything- very foggy but did say he didn't think we were moving. The next morning in port in costa maya-looking from our balcony-- we saw an ambulance and military police pull up to the ship. Later we found out that our ship saw another vessal in distress and stopped to rescue them.(supposedly Chinese fisherman??) They were given medical attention and then spent the next few hours in the epic jail until the Mexican police retrieved them. It was strange because when we disembarked the EPIC, the military police were still there- we were the only ship with these escorts :eek:

I have been searching for more information but have not seen anything else.

[Tracyisme]

Ty so much for the info Dave....I just hope that those folks don't find themselves in too much trouble....:mad:

[WaldosPepper]

Not to hijack this thread but I was on the EPIC in March and during the night on our way to costa maya - I felt the vibrations (AFT PH) as if we were pulling into port- My DH and I knew it was much too early for port (2:30 am) He looked outside but couldn't see anything- very foggy but did say he didn't think we were moving. The next morning in port in costa maya-looking from our balcony-- we saw an ambulance and military police pull up to the ship. Later we found out that our ship saw another vessal in distress and stopped to rescue them.(supposedly Chinese fisherman??) They were given medical attention and then spent the next few hours in the epic jail until the Mexican police retrieved them. It was strange because when we disembarked the EPIC, the military police were still there- we were the only ship with these escorts :eek:

I have been searching for more information but have not seen anything else.

 

This is one night I will not forget for the rest of my life. We were in a forward-facing 2-Bedroom suite, and were in the habit of standing in our solarium with the windows open, stargazing each night before bed.

 

That night, at around 11:45pm one of the spotlights on the bow suddenly went on, and began frantically searching the water. Then a few moments later the other went on and both were searching. After a while the pillars of light were lifted trained straight up, and crossed in the form of a beacon. Then all went dark. After a time, the lights went on again, searching the water again.

 

It went on like this for an hour or so, until suddenly one light was trained straight out over the bow and held for a moment, and then darkened. From the darkness came a barely-visible beam of light from a long distance away but straight in front of us. The fog was so dense, and the wind unbelievably fierce, and I could not imagine the horror of those onboard the stranded vessel in such conditions.

 

Every so often a blinking light would appear on the water, and the search lights would come on again, investigate the blinking, and then shut off once again, as we passed beacon after beacon. I stayed in the window watching this until about 3:10 when I became so tired I could no longer stand (despite the blood pressure raised, knowing that someone was lost and in trouble out there). I went to lie down for a few minutes, and unfortunately fell fast asleep. A short while later awoke to the vibration of the thrusters, and then heard the Captain's announcement that the two Honduran fishermen had been rescued from their fishing boat which was now abandoned and adrift. What a relief to know that the boat had been located - an amazing feat considering the dense fog, and the fact that the wind was pushing that small boat around.

 

We were amazed to see the Mexican military presence in port when we disembarked, and even more amazed to see they were still there when the ship pulled out of port.

[linnealee]

I felt bad for them, they looked sad that they didn't make it to land, then they would have been free.

 

[flarad]

I live in SWFl, one of my student's parents has a fabulous story of the night her family escaped Cuba in a boat. They made it to shore in Miami. Our waters are heavily patrolled now to keep illegal immigrants out (mostly transported by smugglers in very fast boats).

When we were on the Solstice years ago we rescued some Cubans. They were kept in the brig and none of the countries where we docked would accept them. Eventually they were taken ashore in the Bahamas.

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited March 23, 2014 by aprilrad

[LrgPizza]

Often they have spent their entire life savings, or worked and saved for many years to pay someone to smuggle them to the US. The attempt failed, and they will likely never have another chance.

[Manatee Mom]

I also was on the pearl and saw the boat as I was finishing my lunch.

While talking to other passengers a man told me that if they do get returned o cuba they will be executed. I hope his is no true! If so the US needs to change their policy.

 

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1110362 to see the story and more pictures

 

[Lilystar]

I too was witness to the rescuing of Cubans in April of last year while onboard the Disney Wonder. The US Coast Guard asked us to rescue the boat with what I think were either 6 or 7 cubans on board. I watched the entire thing unfold, took pictures and listened as they all were actually cheering as they climbed onboard.... "God Bless America!!" I have no idea if they knew they were about to be turned over to the Coast Guard...but I watched that happen as well about 2 hours later. My friends were on the Wonder the following week and they, too, rescued a boat of Cuban refugees. I was shocked to know how often this happens.

[willise]

... the US needs to change their policy.

 

 

Agreed

[mitsugirly]

I find this whole thing a little disturbing in several different ways. To know what they risk to try to make it to the states and be picked up and returned home, then if they are possibly executed?

 

On the other hand, I don't think I would want to be on a cruise ship and watch a rescue like this because so many things would be going threw my mind not knowing "who" these people are and "what" their intentions might be.

 

In this world, you never know who might be lurking out there planning on hijacking a cruise ship. :o

[david_sobe]

I also was on the pearl and saw the boat as I was finishing my lunch.

While talking to other passengers a man told me that if they do get returned o cuba they will be executed. I hope his is no true! If so the US needs to change their policy.

 

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1110362 to see the story and more pictures

 

While human rights are not the best in Cuba there have never been any reports of anyone being executed for being returned to Cuba. Many people who make it have attempted it several times before finally landing ashore.

If the United States changed their policy, can you imagine how many people die with a mass exodus? People were washing ashore everywhere and only encouraged more.

Life is much more difficult in Haiti. I believe everyone must be treated the same. Whether you are Mexican running across the border, a Haitian coming ashore on a boat, or a Cuban coming ashore on a raft, or even a French person who runs across the border in Canada.

After the Cuban revolution the refugees were political in nature. Today most everyone including Cubans are economic refugees. We have a great country that attracts people from all over world. Our country could not sustain a policy that allows anyone picked up at sea to stay here or if they land in a boat. No country in the world allows that. We then pay for their health care, child care, and schooling. What a great country :)

Edited March 24, 2014 by david_sobe

[Lucyspoileddog]

I, too, was on the Pearl when this happened last Thursday. They were waving the white flag quite strongly, so they definitely wanted and/or needed to be rescued. I couldn't believe how many were packed on that small boat. It makes me truly thankful to have what we have as US citizens....that was an unexpected human drama played out before our eyes.

[Winchester Ranger]

Immigration controls should be based on eligibility, not cuteness, or because you like "Nationality X" over "Nationality Y".

 

If a Haitian refugee makes it ashore in Key West they are arrested and deported, if a Cuban makes it they are welcomed with open arms.

 

All immigrants should be treated the same way, anything else smacks of bias and favoritism.

[Aquahound]

I also was on the pearl and saw the boat as I was finishing my lunch.

While talking to other passengers a man told me that if they do get returned o cuba they will be executed. I hope his is no true! If so the US needs to change their policy.

 

This is a subject I know very well, as I have been part of the process for 17 years.

 

First, no, it absolutely is not true they execute migrants if returned. That is absurd. In fact, it is very common for the same migrants to be interdicted a couple weeks later. If execution was the punishment, I really don't think our asylum screeners would be so quick to send them back.

 

Second, ref your policy comment, you have to remember there are 2 countries involved. I agree the embargo is overdue for repeal, but the Wet Foot/Dry Foot policy is partly based on Cuban policy and their guidelines for repatriation to Cuba. Dry Foot Cubans or most Cubans with any sort of status in the US are not accepted back in Cuba. Therefore only Cubans caught at sea can be repatriated.

[Aquahound]

The Cubans caught at sea will be taken by the US Coast Guard and processed with ICE (immigration). From there they will be deported back to Cuba.

The irony is if Haitians or Jamaicans or any other nationality lands ashore, they are instantly sent back. Cubans have special status in the United States. Some call this policy very discriminatory.

 

ICE doesn't get involved in Cubans rescued at sea. They go through asylym screening, but current policy prohibits any Immigrations screening, or creating any records.

 

I whole heartedly agree the policy is discriminatory, but like I said in my last post, it's partly based on Cuba's unwillingness to accept deportees from the U.S. We can't change our policy if they don't change theirs.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Aquahound

[meggie711]

We were on a cruise that rescued refugees a few years ago. It was incredibly sad, as I remember at least one of them dying in their attempt. To see their desperate faces and the condition of their raft (if you could even call it that), I still can't imagine how terrifying it was for them. Definitely an unforgettable moment.