Cuban migrant boat intercepted near Dania Beach pier

13 migrants spotted huddled in blue boat with sail

DANIA BEACH, Fla. – A group of Cuban migrants have been intercepted by federal authorities off the South Florida coast.

Thirteen migrants wearing life vests were spotted about two miles from the Dania Beach pier.

Sky 10 was above the boat as the migrants had their hands on their heads.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection boat and Coast Guard boat were nearby.

Customs agents had their guns drawn as the migrants boarded the Coast Guard boat.

Authorities had their guns drawn as the migrants were boarding the Coast Guard boat one at a time.

Four of the migrants were pulled onto the Customs boat and handcuffed with zip ties.

Four migrants were pulled aboard the U.S. Customs and Border Protection boat and handcuffed with zip ties.

The blue boat with a sail had writing on the side that said "Dios Delante."

A city commission went to the scene to see if she could help.

"It's sad that you can't live in your own country and have freedom -- that you have to escape your home country and go to another one. That's the sadness of the whole thing," Dania Beach Commissioner Chickie Brandimarte said. "Every time is unique, but you must never forget, they're human beings no matter where they came from. They're trying to escape something, obviously, to come to a better place." 

The migrants were transferred onto a Coast Guard cutter. Fort Lauderdale authorities assisted in the apprehension of the migrants.