VIDEO: Port of Brownsville Offers Safe Haven for Mexican Shrimping Masses During Hurricane Ingrid

A boat crew from Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, Texas, escorts Mexican shrimp boats leaving the port of Brownsville after seeking shelter from Hurricane Ingrid. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

As the remnants of Hurricane Ingrid lashed the Mexican coast in mid-September, a total of 179 Mexican shrimp boats sought a safe haven at the Port of Brownsville in Texas.

Upon their arrival to the port, U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection crews boarded each of the vessels, taking account of crew numbers and any pollution concerns that could adversely effect the port.

Then on September 17, almost as swiftly as they arrived, about half of the 179 shrimp crews decided to return home and the same boat crews that had processed them upon their arrival were now tapped to escort and clear them for departure in what has been called “The Great Exodus.”

“The opportunity to do this was a unique challenge but at the core at what the Coast Guard provides – safety of life at sea for all mariners.” said Lt. Joshua Sagers, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station South Padre Island.

Check out the below video on the operation:

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