U.S. Coast Guard, CBP Apprehend Stowaways on Containership Off Miami

MV Diana J. File Photo: MarineTraffic.com/Claus Schaefe

The U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection responded to a report of three stowaways found hiding on an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged containership approximately three miles offshore of Port of Miami on Wednesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami received a report from the Diana J crew at approximately 6:34 a.m., stating they had located two Guatemalan adult male stowaways and one Honduran adult male stowaway during a pre-arrival stowaway search approximately 23 miles northwest of La Palma, Cuba on Tuesday.

Capt. Megan Dean, commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami, issued a Captain of the Port Order stating the Diana J crew could arrive no less than three miles offshore of Port of Miami until Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection boarding teams boarded the vessel and cleared it for entry.

The boarding teams found no additional stowaways, rescinded the Captain of the Port Order, and CBP Office of Field Operations took the stowaways into custody.

The rescue comes as Coast Guard service members and CBP officers continue to work without pay due to the partial government shutdown.

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