The United States Coast Guard said on Wednesday it had intercepted a Panamanian-flagged vessel from Gonaive, northern Haiti, in waters off Florida carrying 28 people, including seven crewmen and 21 Haitian refugees.
”Coast Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel stopped the Panamanian flagged freighter Margot approximately 10km off Miami at 5.20pm [2220GMT] today,” said a Coast Guard statement.
”Coast Guard Group Miami communications centre received a radio report of a security situation on board the vessel at approximately 4.30pm from the master of the Margot,” it said.
”An ICE Blackhawk helicopter and boat, Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak, a 47-foot motor life boat from Station Miami, as well as a Coast Guard jet and helicopter immediately responded to the scene,” said the statement.
”There are reportedly 28 people on board the vessel,” it said.
”Seven are believed to be crewmembers and 21 reportedly Haitian nationals. The vessel’s last port of call was reported as Gonaives, Haiti.
Miami television Channel 7 had earlier reported the Haitians surrendered to Coast Guard boarding parties, and broadcast images showing men on deck with their hands raised.
Television images also showed the men tossing objects overboard, which the station said could have been weapons.
The television station said the boat was commandeered by armed Haitians who included policemen and lower-level government workers.
The Coast Guard statement did not confirm any of those reports.
US President George Bush earlier on Wednesday warned Haitians tempted to flee to the United States to ”stay home,” saying he had given the Coast Guard strict orders to ”turn back any refugee” fleeing violence between loyalists to Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide and foes seeking his ouster. – Sapa-AFP