Coast Guard Rescues 31 From Disabled Boat North of Bimini

The Coast Guard rescued 31 Haitians from the disabled pleasure craft, Summer Art, Sunday approximately 9 miles north of Bimini, Bahamas.

At approximately 5 a.m., Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders received a report of a disabled vessel with 31 people aboard approximately 9 miles north of Bimini. Watchstanders authorized the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber (WPC-1101) crew to the scene. The Bernard Webber crew safely embarked all 31 people and transferred them to Freeport, Bahamas.

“Due to an approaching cold front, high seas and wind made this rescue extremely challenging," said Cmdr. Jason Aleksak, chief of response at Coast Guard Sector Miami. "The responsiveness and professionalism of the crew of the Bernard C. Webber was remarkable and demonstrated our Coast Guard core value of devotion to duty.”