Derelict Boat Sighted - Florida Straits

Good morning,

Every cruise is different and this one was no exception.  On a beautiful sea day in the Florida Straits we sighted a small boat in the water. It was not under power and it appeared to have no one aboard, but there was a tarp over part of it so we couldn't be sure if someone might be out of sight.

Freedom of the Seas turned around and lowered a rescue boat to go take a look. 

Needless to say, there were plenty of people on deck to watch the action.

It was determined that there were no people on board, but there was a supply of water and other items.

 There were also plenty of sharks in the water around the boat.

Freedom's rescue boat returned to the mother ship. 

 The location of the derelict boat was noted and reported to the US Coast Guard.

We later learned that the US Coast Guard had intercepted people on the raft and had repatriated them to Cuba a couple of weeks earlier. The Coast Guard usually sinks these vessels, but it had drifted off too far for them to do so this time and they had lost track of it.  Perhaps they will come back and finish it off so that other vessels won't stop to be sure no one is in trouble and/or hit the boat in the middle of the night.

This stop lasted about 90 minutes.  Every cruise is different.

All the best,
 Lois