A total of seven Cuban (7) migrants were apprehended off Billy Island, Andros following the combined efforts of Operations Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) on February 2, 2023.An OPBAT aircraft reported a sighting to the RBDF Operations Command Center, of an anchored vessel by the name of “Los Amigos” on the Western side of Andros with seven (7) persons onboard to whom they provided food and water.A RBDF safe boat coxswained by Chief Petty Officer Doyle Johnson, accompanied by a Quick Response Force Team from the Commando Squadron Unit, were dispatched to rendezvous with HMBS KAMALEE who was on scene to assist in the search for the migrants. The team was successful in retrieving the Cuban migrants (5 males and 2 females). They were transported to Bimini, where they were handed over to Immigration officials for processing. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remain committed in its pursuit of “Guarding Our Heritage” through combined efforts with regional partners.
