National

RBDF Marines Search For Boatloads Of Migrants

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – They call them anti-migrant patrols, a response to the growing crisis in Haiti that has spurred an increase in boatloads of Haitians trying to land here.

Published

7 months ago

March 27, 2024

Joshua Williams

SOUTHERN BAHAMAS – They call them anti-migrant patrols, a response to the growing crisis in Haiti that has spurred an increase in boatloads of Haitians trying to land here.

For days of back to back patrols, defense force marines are out in vessels like the HMBS Kamalame, a 30-meter go-fast boat.

Encountering a migrant vessel on open seas can be tricky and with hundreds apprehended in the recent weeks, Sub-Lieutenant Tiffilo Johnson admits they have to be calculated and precise on approach. A medic must then do an on-board examination and many of these sloops do not make it into port but are sunken at sea.

As we quickly realized, these open waters can be rough. It helped us to understand the harsh and dangerous conditions Haitian migrants encounter. It could also explain why they may react, they way they do when they finally caught.