(Thursday, September 16, 2004)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Coast Guard assisted U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with the apprehension of a stowaway on board the Antiguan-flagged, 315-foot motor vessel

Due to the high frequency of stowaways attempting to enter the United States illegally, all vessels traveling here from the Dominican Republic are required to conduct a security sweep of the vessel prior to entering port and report the results to the Coast Guard. While conducting this sweep, crewmembers discovered and detained one stowaway. He reported to the crew that there were more stowaways on board. The master of the vessel notified the Coast Guard of the situation, who further notified CBP.