SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CMC)— The United States Coast Guard on Friday said the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon recently rescued 11 Haitian migrants who were left stranded by smugglers on the uninhabited natural reserve of Monito Island, Puerto Rico, in the Mona Passage.

The US Coast Guard said the rescue involved efforts and coordination with Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG) partner agencies.

“Deterring dangerous and irregular migration to the United States by sea is both a matter of ensuring US border security and a lifesaving mission for those who take to the sea without understanding the hazards and perils of this journey,” said Lieutenant Peter Diamontopulos, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon.

“I am extremely proud of my crew’s ability to rescue all 11 migrants from a highly dangerous environment with no food or water and exposure to the elements. The risk to life is not worth it, taking to the sea is never the answer, seek legal migration pathways,” he added.

The US Coast Guard said watchstanders in San Juan, Puerto Rico received a communication from the crew of the fishing vessel Likeo, reporting a group of people with orange shirts who appeared to be stranded on the rocky cliffs of Monito Island.

Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard helicopter and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon to confirm the report and provide rescue assistance, the US Coast Guard said.

It said the Coast Guard aircrew sighted the group on Monito and vectored-in the cutter Richard Dixon to their location.

Once on scene, the US Coast Guard said favourable sea conditions allowed the cutter to safely approach Monito Island.

The US Coast Guard said the crew provided lifejackets to the group of six men and five women, who claimed to be Haitian nationals.

All 11 migrants were transferred to Ramey Sector US Border Patrol agents in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

“Migrants who are interdicted at sea or apprehended ashore will not be allowed to stay in the United States or a US territory,” the US Coast Guard said. “Furthermore, anyone who arrives unlawfully may be declared ineligible for legal immigration parole options and be repatriated to their country of origin or returned to the country of departure.”