Search for survivors of overturned Cuban boat continues after Coast Guard finds 2 dead, 8 alive

Coast Guard search for 10 who vanished at sea continues

KEY WEST, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing to search for possible survivors off the Florida Keys after a boat that sailed out of Cuba capsized. So far, they have rescued eight people and found two bodies, officials said.

The survivors said they left Puerto de Mariel on Sunday, and the boat capsized on Wednesday evening, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. A team is searching for 10 other people who vanished at sea.

Senior Chief Seth Haynes, the Key West command center supervisor, asked the public to help the survivors if they find them and contact the Coast Guard.

“Our responders are focused on the search for survivors,” Haynes said on Thursday. “We will continue to search through the night.”

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued eight people and found two dead on Thursday off Key West. (Copyright 2020 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.)

While on routine patrol, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute found the eight survivors about 18 miles southwest of Key West, and they alerted Sector Key West watchstanders to launch a search team. The survivors remain on the cutter, where they have received food and water, officials said.

The Coast Guard brought the two bodies to shore in Key West.

The Coast Guard team includes three helicopters: Air Station Miami’s MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, Air Station Clearwater’s MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, and a Naval Air Station Key West H-60 helicopter. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is also assisting.

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Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editors Wilson Louis and Emily Hales contributed to this report.


About the Authors:

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.