Disney to the Rescue

Disney cruise ship rescues 12 Cuban migrants near the Cayman Islands after they became stranded on their makeshift boat. Disney Wonder was on it’s way from Miami to the Caribbean when they noticed the vessel with the 12 men on board was struggling to stay afloat and they helped them and got them aboard the luxury ship and then offloaded them in Grand Cayman. They were struggling to stay afloat in the water on their ‘rustic’ vessel and were taken aboard the Disney liner, which has 11 decks boasting restaurants, pools and other activities.When the ship reached Grand Cayman, the 12 men were then handed over to the authorities there. The men were Cuban and I suspect they were heading to Miami although it’s not clear yet. The incident comes as cruise ships have agreed to contact the U.S. Coast Guard if they come into contact with migrants. It is not the first time cruise lines are coming to the rescue for migrants, it happens in the Med when migrants from North Africa are trying to get into Europe and also in the US when Cubans or Mexicans are trying to enter the United States.Often the cruise liners will pick up the migrants and take them to the ship’s next port of call and hand them over to authorities. Disney cruise has rescued migrants as in 2013, a group of eight were picked up off the coast of Key West.Immigration from Cuba to the U.S. has spike dramatically in the past year since Havana and Washington announced they would restore diplomatic relations. It’s not a cruise line responsibility to do but I understand from humanity point you can’t just leave them in the middle of the Ocean but I think authorities have to take charge and try and stop it happening. I bet the migrants had a fantastic free cruise night on board though!