Taxi! Cubans Hail Ride To Florida In Converted Cab
Coast Guard Intercepts Boat
POSTED: 12:00 am EDT June 8,
2005
UPDATED: 2:25 pm EDT June 8,
2005
MIAMI -- On Tuesday, the United States Coast Guard intercepted a group of Cuban refugees attempting to reach Florida on a converted vintage 1949 Mercury taxi.Only Chopper 6 was over the scene as the drama unfolded. Relatives of those on board spoke exclusively to NBC 6 reporters, saying they're devastated their loved ones didn't make it to Florida's shores.
Images: Cubans Sail Taxi To Florida
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Images: Related Story: Travels Of The 'Truckonauts'The Coast Guard first spotted the converted powder-blue vehicle about 20 miles off Key West on Tuesday evening after the group of 13 Cubans sailed their makeshift boat across the Florida Straits.Pablo Diaz's son, Rafael, his wife and two children were among those intercepted at sea, failing to reach U.S. soil."He feels very worried and very sad," Diaz told NBC 6 reporter Sharon Lawson."He needed to get out of the country. He needs to get out and this was his only chance. I am sure if he goes back, it isn't going to be good," said Diaz's cousin Jesus Zamora. "They will probably put him in jail and God knows what could happen to him."Earlier Tuesday, the Coast Guard intercepted a different boat about 10 miles from Key Largo. That vessel was carrying 22 Cuban refugees, including 4 children. On Sunday, home video showed 6 Cubans who made it to shore and walked right onto Miami Beach.
Related Images: Boat Carrying Refugees Stranded
Related Story: Family Members Want Help For Refugees On Boat
Previous Images: Caught On Tape: Cubans Come Ashore
Video: Cubans' Arrival Caught On Video
As for those in the blue taxi, Zamora said it was his cousin's third attempt to leave Cuba. In 2003, he was on board during an unsuccessful attempt to reach the U.S. on another unusual vessel - a 1951 Chevy pickup -- which a man named Luis Grass had converted into a boat. They were intercepted and sent back to Cuba. The Coast Guard then sunk the craft.Early Wednesday morning, the Coast Guard sank the 'taxi' as well.In 2004 Grass made a second attempt to get to the United States illegally -- this time aboard a Buick sedan powering another homemade barge.Grass and his family had more success sticking to land: on March 12 they entered the U.S. though the Texas-Mexico border and were allowed to stay.According to U.S. policy, Cubans intercepted at sea are returned to Cuba. However, there's no official word yet as to what will happen in this case.NBC 6 reporter Jeff Burnside is in Key West to continue to follow developments in this story. You can watch his reports throughout the day, beginning on South Florida Today at 10 a.m.
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Images: Cubans Sail Taxi To FloridaE-Mail This Story and Slideshow: To A FriendImages: Related Story: Travels Of The 'Truckonauts'The Coast Guard first spotted the converted powder-blue vehicle about 20 miles off Key West on Tuesday evening after the group of 13 Cubans sailed their makeshift boat across the Florida Straits.Pablo Diaz's son, Rafael, his wife and two children were among those intercepted at sea, failing to reach U.S. soil."He feels very worried and very sad," Diaz told NBC 6 reporter Sharon Lawson."He needed to get out of the country. He needs to get out and this was his only chance. I am sure if he goes back, it isn't going to be good," said Diaz's cousin Jesus Zamora. "They will probably put him in jail and God knows what could happen to him."Earlier Tuesday, the Coast Guard intercepted a different boat about 10 miles from Key Largo. That vessel was carrying 22 Cuban refugees, including 4 children. On Sunday, home video showed 6 Cubans who made it to shore and walked right onto Miami Beach.Related Images: Boat Carrying Refugees StrandedRelated Story: Family Members Want Help For Refugees On BoatPrevious Images: Caught On Tape: Cubans Come AshoreVideo: Cubans' Arrival Caught On Video As for those in the blue taxi, Zamora said it was his cousin's third attempt to leave Cuba. In 2003, he was on board during an unsuccessful attempt to reach the U.S. on another unusual vessel - a 1951 Chevy pickup -- which a man named Luis Grass had converted into a boat. They were intercepted and sent back to Cuba. The Coast Guard then sunk the craft.Early Wednesday morning, the Coast Guard sank the 'taxi' as well.In 2004 Grass made a second attempt to get to the United States illegally -- this time aboard a Buick sedan powering another homemade barge.Grass and his family had more success sticking to land: on March 12 they entered the U.S. though the Texas-Mexico border and were allowed to stay.According to U.S. policy, Cubans intercepted at sea are returned to Cuba. However, there's no official word yet as to what will happen in this case.NBC 6 reporter Jeff Burnside is in Key West to continue to follow developments in this story. You can watch his reports throughout the day, beginning on South Florida Today at 10 a.m.
Previous Stories:
- March 23, 2005: Cuban 'Truckonauts' Reach U.S.
- September 22, 2004: Cuban Refugees Who Tried To Float Car To Florida Return Home
- July 31, 2003: Old Chevy Truck Almost Makes It From Cuba To Florida
- February 10, 2004: Cuban Car-Boat Family Protected For Two More Days
- February 6, 2004: Judge Protects 3 Cubans Found At Sea On Buick From Return
- July 31, 2003: Old Chevy Truck Almost Makes It From Cuba To Florida
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