Thirty-two (32) Cuban nationals were recovered from Cay Sal in a Search and Rescue operation on March 10, 2023.On Thursday March 9th, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Operation Command Center received communications from Operations Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) of a distressed vessel in the Cay Sal area, and requested permission to a conduct search and rescue operation in Bahamian waters.Vessels and aircraft were then diverted by the United States Coast Guard to conduct further investigations. Further update by OPBAT revealed that the vessel and its occupants had made landfall on Cay Sal. On Friday, March 10, 2023, OPBAT informed Operations Command Center that USCG Cutter James retrieved 32 individuals from the cay. The Cuban nationals will be transported to Freeport, Grand Bahama, where they will be handed over to Immigration officials for further processing.The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remain committed in its pursuit of “Guarding Our Heritage” through combined efforts with regional partners.
