The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(WASHINGTON) — The AMVER participating tug Genesis Patriot rescued 11 Cuban migrants from a rustic sailing vessel taking on water approximately 155 miles west northwest of Dry Tortuga, Fla., on Sunday.
U.S. Coast Guard rescue authorities in Miami received a notification from the tug and barge that it had located a rustic sailing vessel with 10 or 11 people aboard. The sailing vessel was in danger of sinking. Coast Guard officials diverted a cutter and requested the 121-foot tug to remain on scene and assist where necessary.
To avoid any risk to the migrants, the crew of the Genesis Patriot rescued the 11 survivors and coordinated a rendezvous with the Coast Guard cutter Munro. The eight male and three female migrants were uninjured in the rescue operation.
Genesis Patriot safely transferred the survivors to Munro and continued on its voyage.
Genesis Patriot, managed by Genesis Marine LLC, enrolled in the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System on April 1, 2011 and has earned three AMVER participation awards.
