The MV Methoni and its life boat approximately 33 miles southeast of Alligator Reef Lighthouse near Islamorada, Florida, Dec. 31, 2021. 19 Cuban Migrants were rescued by the Methoni crew. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Alex Hughes

Containership Crew Rescues 19 Cubans Off Florida Keys

Mike Schuler

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January 3, 2022

The crew of a Liberian-flagged containership rescued 19 Cubans off the Florida Keys on Friday.

The crew of the MV Methoni contacted Sector Key West Command Center watchstanders at 1:40 p.m. reporting they launched their life boat to assist in recovering people from the water approximately 33 miles southeast of Alligator Reef Lighthouse near Islamorada, Florida. One of the survivors stated there were 19 people on their raft before it flipped over.

All 19 people were rescuedOne person required a higher level of medical care and an Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew hoisted and transferred the person ashore to local emergency medical technicians for further transfer to Fisherman’s Hospital in Marathon.

The Cutter Charles Sexton crew transferred the remaining 18 people aboard and they are expected to be returned to their country of origin.

“We are extremely thankful for the Methoni crew for rescuing everyone from the water and notifying us quickly,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul Altieri, a duty watchstander at Sector Key West Command Center. “As we close out 2021, it’s good to know these 19 people will get back safely to their families.”