As of Tuesday, March 21, Coast Guard Station Key West rescue crews were searching for a missing person in the water about 6 miles south of Key West.
The rescue crew saved 18 people who were in the water and another 10 from a migrant vessel. Two people were med-evaced to a higher level of care, according to a Coast Guard press release.
A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of people in the water from a migrant vessel at about 8:40 a.m. on Monday, March 20.
Coast Guard air and surface crews searched throughout the night and were scheduled to continue searching throughout the day Tuesday for the missing person.
“Coast Guard crews will continue to search for this person until all efforts are exhausted,” said Capt. Jason Ingram, commander of Sector Key West. “Taking to the sea in dangerous weather and unseaworthy vessels greatly increases the risk for loss of life. Don’t take to the sea. Use safe and legal means of immigrating to the U.S.”
The weather on scene at the time of the incident was 5-foot seas and 20-knot winds.
The nationality of the people isn’t known at this time.
If anyone has any information regarding this person, please contact Sector Key West watchstanders at 305-292-8727.
