Coast Guard detains nearly 400 migrants caught on sailboat near Bahamian coast

The U.S. Coast Guard over the weekend detained nearly 400 Haitian migrants off the coast of the Bahamas, who had crowded themselves onto a 50-ft. sailboat.

Authorities intercepted the vessel, and its 396 passengers, near Cay Sal Bank, according to Fox News. The migrants will be processed on the Bahamian island of Inagua and will then be returned to Haiti.

The country has been in crisis since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, which led to a leadership struggle and subsequent instability. Haitian democracy has deteriorated dramatically in the aftermath of that event.

In a tweet warning migrants against maritime efforts to reach the U.S., the Coast Guard shared footage of the vessel, detailing its cramped conditions.

#Breaking @USCG Cutter Legare's crew assisted @TheRBDF in stopping an unsafe, overloaded Haitian sailing vessel, Sat.

There were more than 390 people aboard. #USCG crews will transfer the people to Bahamian authorities.#DontTakeToTheSea @USEmbassyNassau @USEmbassyHaiti pic.twitter.com/wtZdtEJQF4

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) January 23, 2023

Maritime migrants have often attempted to reach the Florida Keys, an archipelago off the coast of the Sunshine State. Authorities have encountered more than 8,000 migrants in that maritime zone since August of 2022. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this month activated the National Guard to help combat the rising tide of migrant boats attempting to enter his state's waters.