On January 3, watchstanders onboard the M/V Sagamore spotted a small vessel while transiting the western reaches of the Straits of Florida.

The captain was alerted and the ship diverted to assist the makeshift craft as the occupants signaled by the waving of arms that they were in distress. Captain Paul Bonney, master on the Sagamore, notified U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West and brought the ship about to recover the migrants, who were adrift in the raft.

The Coast Guard informed the Sagamore they would dispatch USCG Cutter Richard Ethridge while the ship made the best effort to recover the people from the raft.

The Sagamore came alongside the raft and its 15 occupants came aboard the Sagamore at 1735 local time. They were given water, food, blankets and clothing. The migrants said they were from Cuba and had been in the vessel for four days.

The Richard Ethridge arrived on scene and conducted a transfer from the Sagamore to the cutter with their rescue boat, finishing at 2042.

The Sagamore, which is operated by Sealift LLC, proceeded enroute to Houston, Texas.

American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers onboard the Sagamore and the Seafarers International Union represents the unlicensed mariners. In addition to Captain Bonney, AMO members working onboard the Sagamore during the rescue included Chief Engineer Declan Murphy, Chief Mate Jeffrey Belet, First Assistant Engineer Phillip McKenzie, Second Mate Eric Swallow, Second A.E. Edward Zimich and Third Mate Gavin McGetrick.

Photos courtesy of Captain Paul Bonney