Cruise lines rescuing migrants

Cruise ships in the Caribbean are increasingly picking up stranded migrants in inadequate vessels, often saving their lives. The majority are Cubans trying to escape extreme poverty.

The Carnival Spirit was carrying passengers on a Caribbean cruise from Miami last week when it encountered a small boat near the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. According to Carnival Cruise Line, officers aboard the ship saw a group “in distress”, and crew members brought all 24 people on board. Medical workers then checked them over before the cruise line transferred them to a United States Coast Guard ship.

While rescue missions at sea are not cruise ships’ primary purpose, it’s not uncommon for them to assume that duty.

For Carnival, the rescue was its fifth of 2023, and the 14th since June. Several other lines, including Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises have rescued migrants in vessels this year.

The US Coast Guard reports higher numbers of Cuban migrants intercepted at sea. Since October the military branch reported it had stopped more than 6,300 Cubans — already more than the 6,182 for the entire previous year.

“The Coast Guard is maintaining a heavy maritime presence to detect and interdict anyone attempting to illegally migrate by sea in the Florida Straits and Caribbean region,” Coast Guard Lt. Peter Hutchison said about Cuban migrants caught off the Florida coast. “These voyages are not only illegal, but also incredibly dangerous. No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic vessels in unpredictable seas.”

Cruise lines and legal experts say it’s the duty of larger ships to follow maritime guidelines and help other vessels in distress.

Carnival provides food, clothes, blankets and medical assessments, and crew members coordinate with the Coast Guard or other government agencies. Depending on the decision of authorities, the rescued people may be transferred to authorities at sea or in port.

The rescues often happen in full view of passengers. Guests on Royal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas told South Florida media that passengers cheered when 17 migrants were brought on board in January.

Rescued migrants are provided with food, water, shelter and basic first aid then processed to determine their identity, nationality, criminal history and whether they have a legal basis to enter or stay in the US.

If they do not have a legal basis to enter or remain in the US, they will be processed for removal or repatriation to their country of origin or departure.