18 Cuban migrants picked up at sea, Coast Guard learns 9 died on trip

18 Cuban migrants picked up at sea, Coast Guard learns 9 died on trip

18 Cuban migrants picked up by Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas
Rescued migrants report nine other died during trip
Friday, March 18, 2016. CHARLES TRAINOR JR

A tragedy at sea after a group of Cuban migrants died trying to make the
treacherous journey to Florida, Miami Herald news partner CBS4 reported.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a total of 18 reported Cuban migrants
were picked up by Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas.

The cruise ship spotted them Friday morning just west of Marco Island on
its way to Cozumel, Mexico.

The refugees were suffering from severe dehydration.

The group said they started the journey 22 days ago with nine more
people, all of whom died along the way.

"Our deepest condolences to the families of the nine people who recently
did lose their lives," said Capt. Mark Gordon, chief of enforcement for
the Coast Guard 7th District. "Unfortunately, tragedy is all too common
when taking to the sea in homemade vessels with no safety or navigation
equipment. The dangerous waters of the Florida Straits can be
unforgiving for the unprepared on ill advised and illegal voyages.
Immigration policies have not changed and we urge people not to take to
the ocean in un-seaworthy vessels. It is illegal and extremely dangerous."

Coast Guard officials said there's been a steady increase of Cuban
rafters since the U.S. and Cuba started normalizing relations.

Source: 18 Cuban migrants picked up at sea, Coast Guard learns 9 died on
trip | Miami Herald -
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article67043977.html