A zodiac and a sailboat motorcycle are among the vessels confiscated on the shores of Cuba this year, which can be claimed by their owners within a period of 20 calendar days, the Cuban regime reported this Saturday.
The National Department of Harbor Masters reported in an official statement published in Granma the seizure of several vessels detected in various regions of the country over the past year. These boats will be processed in accordance with Resolution No. 1/2015 from the Minister of the Interior, which regulates the confiscation of vessels found in the island's waterways.
Among the confiscated vessels is a white, unnamed motor sailboat of American nationality, registered as GA6513SW.
It has a length of 8.00 meters, a beam of 2.80 meters, a height of 1.98 meters, and the hull is made of fiberglass. It features a stationary engine, brand Yanmar 1 CI, 25 HP, without a serial number. It was found on November 2, 2023, in the area known as Rincón del Sijú, Mantua municipality, Pinar del Río province.
A nameless boat was also found, measuring 6.00 meters in length, 2.50 meters in beam, and 1.00 meter in depth, made of fiberglass. It is equipped with a Yamaha outboard motor, 2 cylinders, 75 HP.
The discovery took place on December 30, 2023, in the San Silindran Canal, Martí municipality, Matanzas province.
Finally, it was reported the discovery of an unnamed Zodiac, brand Goldenship, measuring 2.50 meters in length, 1.80 meters in beam, with a depth of 0.60 meters, featuring a hull made of plastic and rubber, in gray with a red stripe on the sides.
The vessel had no engine and was found on May 25, 2024, in the Canalizo de Juan Claro, Cárdenas municipality, Matanzas province.
Individuals affected by the resolutions that authorize the Cuban regime to confiscate these vessels can submit a written claim to the Head of the Border Guard Troops Directorate. The deadline for this is 20 calendar days from the official publication in a nationally circulated medium, the statement indicates.
The confiscation of vessels found in Cuban waters is in accordance with existing regulations aimed at ensuring security and sovereignty in the island's maritime territory, asserts the regime in Havana.
The Border Guard Troops, under the Ministry of the Interior, are responsible for the detection, management, and handling of these vessels.
These findings add to other similar incidents reported earlier. In March 2024, several abandoned vessels were found on the Cuban coast, and in September 2023, the government seized a jet ski and three abandoned boats.
Cuban authorities believe that these boats are often used by migrants seeking to reach South Florida, making transfers at sea.
Some vessels are also reportedly linked to drug traffickers in the region, who often abandon boats and small craft adrift in desperate attempts to escape after being detected by the authorities.
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