Immigration
VIDEO: Cruise ships rescue dozens of migrants in small boats off Florida coast
According to the captain, her chief officer noticed a glimmer on the horizon. Upon further inspection, they realized it was a small boat crowded with migrants
January 5, 2023 6:46am
Updated: January 5, 2023 9:03am
Two cruise ships rescued dozens of migrants traveling on small boats on Monday, according to cruise officials.
The Fort Lauderdale-bound Celebrity Beyond ship rescued 19 migrants on Monday. They brought them on board and provided them with shelter, food, and medical services, the ship’s captain, Kate McCue said in an Instragam video. The Coast Guard was contacted after they were brought up on board.
According to the captain, her chief officer noticed a glimmer on the horizon. Upon further inspection, they realized it was a small boat crowded with migrants.
“Thank you to all the crew who made this rescue possible,” McCue wrote.
“We are grateful for our crew’s quick action and the lives saved as a result,” Celebrity Cruises told ABC News in a statement.
Also on Monday, the Carnival Celebration rescued five people who were floating around 29 miles (46 kilometers) northwest of Cuba, company spokesperson Matt Lupoli said in a statement to ABC News.
The ship then met up with the U.S. Coast Guard near Key West, Florida to hand off the migrants before continuing its journey in the Caribbean.
"The ship resumed on its voyage with its scheduled itinerary unaffected and Carnival Celebration returned to Miami on Tuesday morning after a week-long Caribbean cruise," Lupoli said.
