The crew of the Enchantment of the Seas rescued 10 Cuban rafters in Caribbean waters off the Mexican coast on Sunday night, as they were adrift in a precarious vessel that was about to capsize.
The Cuban immigrants, eight men and two women, were spotted near Isla Mujeres, in the state of Quintana Roo, by a vessel from the Royal Caribbean shipping company, whose crew provided them with first aid and food before taking them to shore.
The group was disembarked at the Costa Maya cruise terminal in the port of Mahahual, where personnel from the Navy Secretariat (Semar) assessed their medical condition and confirmed that they were in good health, according to authorities reported.
The rafters are experiencing issues with malnutrition, nothing that endangers their lives, and have requested asylum, declared officials from Semar to the news portal 14ymedio.
The National Institute of Migration (INM) has initiated the necessary procedures for the identification, protection, and regularization of Cuban migrants, according to official reports.
The note from 14ymedio indicated that the Mexican entity is providing assistance to the 10 immigrants in order for them to obtain humanitarian visas in that country.
According to the independent press, passengers from the cruise reported to a local television channel that the rafts waved a sweater asking for help, while others were scooping water out of the raft. The tourists expressed the fear of dying that the Cubans must have felt after being adrift at sea, without hope of being rescued.
The Enchantment of the Seas departed from Tampa, Florida, on September 27, for a five-day journey through the Bahamas. However, to avoid the two tropical systems present in the eastern Caribbean - the now hurricanes Humberto and Imelda - the ship had to change its route toward Mexico, visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel.
The specialized site Cruise Hive considered that the unexpected change in the cruise itinerary represented a stroke of luck for the rafters, who were trying to stay afloat in the fragile and unsafe vessel in which they escaped from Cuba.
At the end of February, the crew of another cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean, the Brilliance of the Seas, rescued 11 rafters from the island who were on the verge of sinking in the waters of the Yucatán Channel.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rescue of Cuban Rafters in the Caribbean
What happened to the Cuban rafters rescued by the cruise ship Enchantment of the Seas?
The cruise ship Enchantment of the Seas rescued 10 Cuban rafters who were adrift near the Mexican coast. After receiving medical assistance and food, they were taken to shore at the port of Mahahual, Quintana Roo, where the National Migration Institute of Mexico initiated the relevant immigration procedures.
Why do Cuban rafters risk their lives at sea?
The acute economic and social crisis in Cuba drives many citizens to seek better opportunities outside the island, even through perilous sea journeys. The scarcity of essential goods, the lack of freedoms, and repression are factors contributing to this migratory phenomenon.
What measures does Mexico take with the rescued Cuban rafters?
Mexico provides medical assistance and humanitarian aid to the rescued Cuban rafters, and the National Migration Institute initiates procedures for their identification, protection, and migration regularization. In some cases, they are offered the opportunity to apply for a humanitarian visa.
What role do cruise ships play in the rescue of Cuban rafters?
The cruise ships that navigate the Caribbean have participated in multiple rescues of Cuban rafters who are in danger at sea. Following international protocols, the cruise ships provide medical assistance and first aid before coordinating with local authorities for their transfer to land.
Filed under: