Coast Guard apprehends stowaway on vessel from Dominican Republic
The U.S. Coast Guard discovered and detained a stowaway on an Antiguan-flagged vessel before the ship could enter the Port of West Palm Beach, Fla.
The 315-foot vessel 'Stadt Cuxhaven,' was en route from the Dominican Republic when the Coast Guard boarded it off the Florida coast.
All vessels from the Dominican Republic are required to conduct a security sweep prior to entering a U.S. port, and notify the Coast Guard of the results.
While conducting this sweep, the crew of the 'Stadt Cuxhaven' discovered one stowaway, who said there were more on board. The master notified the Coast Guard, which contacted Customs and Border Protection.
After the vessel was boarded, no other stowaways were found. The ship was allowed into port, where the stowaway remained in custody of the vessel's agent prior to being returned to the Dominican Republic.