The following is the text of an announcement issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(MIAMI) — Coast Guard Rear Adm. Steve Branham, Commander Coast Guard Seventh District, will present a United States Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award during an award ceremony to be held Saturday for the captain and crew of the cruise ship Carnival Liberty.
Capt. Marco Nogara and his crew are being recognized for their distinguished contributions to the Coast Guard in support of humanitarian efforts and Homeland Security for their rescue of forty-four Haitian migrants from a boat sinking off the northeast coast of Cuba in Aug.
The award ceremony will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. onboard the Carnival Liberty moored at the Port of Miami.
Many of the migrants were in desperate need of medical care, including a middle-aged woman who later collapsed due to dehydration. The crew provided food and medical care to the Haitians while awaiting transfer to the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous.
WHO: Coast Guard Rear Adm. Steve Branham, Commander Coast Guard Seventh District and Carnival Liberty Capt. Marco Nogara and crew. Interviews will be available aboard the Liberty.
WHAT: Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award ceremony
WHEN: Saturday, September 13 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Onboard Carnival Liberty at the Port of Miami.
