By Tiffany Williams –
On Saturday, the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier intercepted an overloaded makeshift vessel in the Mona Passage, near the Dominican Republic, leading to the transfer of 32 individuals to a Dominican Navy vessel.
The situation unfolded when an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami detected the 25-foot vessel in international waters, about 25 nautical miles northeast of Punta Cana. The USCGC Joseph Napier was diverted to the site, where its crew deployed a small boat to stop the suspect vessel. Following the interdiction, the Dominican Republic Navy patrol vessel Aldebaran arrived and took all 32 individuals aboard to return them safely to the Dominican Republic.
This operation is part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s broader efforts under Operation Vigilant Sentry, which, in collaboration with the Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast, maintains a continuous presence in key maritime areas to ensure safety at sea while preventing unlawful entry into the United States and its territories. small boat to stop the suspect vessel. Following the interdiction, the Dominican Republic Navy patrol vessel Aldebaran arrived and took all 32 individuals aboard to return them safely to the Dominican Republic.