The vessel capsized about a half-mile south of Providenciales Island in the Turks & Caicos at about 4:20 a.m. and the Coast Guard was notified by Turks & Caicos police at about 5 a.m.
The Miami-based Coast Guard District 7, which covers the entire southeastern United States and the entire Caribbean Basin area, said the police vessel immediately recovered 63 people from the water, but survivors estimated there were 150 people aboard the 25-foot to 30-foot Haitian vessel.
The Miami Herald reported 22 bodies had been recovered from the waters along the shore of Providenciales Island, but many more were missing.
The Coast Guard dispatched the cutter Forward to the scene, along with a C-130 aircraft from the Coast Guard Station Clearwater, Fla. and an HH-60 helicopter that was deployed in the Bahamas.
The Coast Guard office in Miami said that by 6:35 a.m. the HH-60 helicopter had located about 20 dead migrants, and reported seeing another 10 clinging to the hull of the capsized vessel.
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now