October 29, 2022 – At approximately 1800, enroute from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Houston, Texas – the National Glory bridge team spotted a raft in distress. We slowed our vessel to communicate via loud speaker in Spanish to confirm if the raft was in distress.
Raft occupants confirmed they had lost their means of propulsion and could not make it back to land and needed assistance to survive.
National Glory contacted United States Coast Guard (USCG), Sector Key West, to report the raft in distress.
Vessel boarded seven asylum seekers, presumed Cuban nationals, in a small boat 25 miles north of Cuba.The National Glory then notified USCG Sector Miami and instructed to board individuals if safe to do so and divert toward Key West to rendezvous with USCG cutter operating in the area.
Regards, Captain Tom Lisante
MV National Glory
To Captain Lisante and the crew of the National Glory
Full marks on the successful rescue of the seven refugees from Cuba. The value of saving seven lives cannot be measured. The Crew of the National Glory, as usual, did a stellar job in the rescue and to be highly commended.
When these seven individuals step onto US soil they will never forget the heroes of the National Glory for not only saving their lives but possibly allowing them to start a new life in a new country.
The crew of the National Glory continues to make a difference.
Congratulations to the crew for a great job for humanity!
Best personal regards,
Torey Presti
President, National Shipping of America
