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The vessel involved in the armed confrontation that occurred this Wednesday in Cuban waters was part of a private flotilla organized to evacuate family members from the island, according to information published by The New York Times.
According to that outlet, a U.S. official stated that a civilian vessel registered in the United States was involved in the shooting, which was part of a flotilla aimed at bringing relatives out of Cuba.
The official further specified that the boat did not belong to either the United States Navy or the Coast Guard.
The incident, initially reported by the Ministry of the Interior of Cuba, resulted in a preliminary toll of four dead and several injured following an exchange of gunfire with Border Guard troops near Cayo Falcones, in Villa Clara province.
So far, the identities of the victims have not been officially disclosed.
For its part, the specialized site The Maritime Executive provided technical details about the vessel identified with registration FL7726SH. According to that source, records in the United States indicate that it is a Pro-Line built in 1981, with hull number 00916.
The term Pro-Line refers to an American manufacturer of sport and fishing boats founded in Florida, known for small to medium-sized vessels.
The term “center-console” indicates that the control console is located in the center of the hull, with walkways on both sides, a typical design for recreational or fishing boats in that state.
The Maritime Executive states that this type of model typically measures between 21 and 24 feet in length and that the brand's historical catalogs include center-console versions of 20, 23, and 24 feet.
Documents and analyses cited by Hunterbrook (a research and analysis firm based in the United States) agree that it would be a fast boat approximately 24 feet long, registered in Florida.
The combination of these elements reinforces that it is a civilian vessel intended for recreational use and not a military or security ship.
The case remains under the attention of U.S. authorities as more details about what happened and the identities of the deceased are awaited.
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