RTC News has learned that as of 12:16 a.m., on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Officers onboard M/V Sea Guardian and M/V Sea Pursuit whilst on patrol responded to reports by the Coastal Radar Officials of suspicious activity in the North West Point area.
Upon that intel, the Marine Branch Officers later intercepted a 45 FT wooden vessel close to land with 251 irregular migrants on board.
The overloaded vessel brought severe challenges, and a critical decision was made to transfer several migrants onto M/V Sea Pursuit. At the same time, the M/V Sea Guardian towed the migrant vessel to the South Dock Port.
Officers on board M/V Sea Pursuit completed the transfer process via several trips to the South Dock Port to ensure the safety of life at sea and enforcement of the COVID-19 protocols.
During the count, it was reported to us that 183 males and 68 females were handed over to the Immigration Task Force for processing and repatriation.
Our news desk was told that the operation was conducted with no major incident.
