Transocean drillship finds Cuban refugees while en route to the Gulf of Mexico (UPDATED)

GULF OF MEXICO: While transiting back from the Mediterranean, the Discoverer Americas, an 830-foot long drillship, crossed paths with a small raft carrying 5 Cuban refugees attempting to sail across the Straits of Florida. The rig is currently waiting for the US Coast Guard to arrive on scene before continuing their voyage back to the waters south of Louisiana.

The Coast Guard’s mission is, of course, to ensure safety at sea, and the initial response to this situation will certainly be to bring these migrants on board a Coast Guard cutter and provide medical assistance and other basic needs. Following that, seafaring migrants generally find themselves in a series of legal battles resulting in their deportation back to their home countries.

***UPDATE***

A fishing boat apparently heard the call to the USCG from the Americas and came by to help, offering the crew of the helpless raft bottled water. 3 hours later the Coasties were on scene and the Americas continued their voyage west.

*** 2nd UPDATE!!!***

ANOTHER MIGRANT RAFT SPOTTED!! The USCG is in the process of/has been notified… Follow this story on the FORUM.