10 Stowaways Found on U.S. Barge
A U.S. Coast Guard port security team, assisted by DHS partner agencies Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), apprehended 10 stowaways from the Dominican Republic aboard the barge Sea Islander in San Juan yesterday (May 24). Crewmembers on board the barge were complying with a Coast Guard requirement to check the vessel for stowaways prior to entering U.S. waters when they found evidence that some stowaways may be on board. The Master of the vessel notified the vessels agent (a local representative who assists with logistics and scheduling) who alerted the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in San Juan. The Sea Islander departed from Rio Haina, Dominican Republic on Thursday.
On Board Cameras Locate Stoways
Six stowaways were turned over to authorities in the Dominican Republic after they were removed from a tug and barge arriving in San Juan from the Dominican Republic Sunday. The stowaways were spotted by the crew of the tug Sea Islander using a video surveillance system that monitors security on the barge. The master reported the stowaways to the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in San Juan. Crews from Coast Guard Station San Juan escorted the tug and barge to the pier where a team of law Enforcement officers including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the barge company's private security guards waiting on the pier. While the barge was being moored to the pier, one stowaway exited the barge brandishing a machete and jumped into the water and swam under the pier.
