Coast Guard Plucks Six Men From Inner Tubes

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - The U.S. Coast Guard conducted a search and rescue operation off Key Biscayne Wednesday morning after several suspected migrants were spotted floating on inner tubes.

Coast Guard crews spotted the six men about five miles southeast of the Key Biscayne Lighthouse. They also found a makeshift boat covered in blue tarps.

The Coast Guard has not said where the men are from but they did appear to be in good condition.

The men have been taken aboard Coast Guard vessels.  They will be interviewed by Border Patrol agents who will determine where they will go next.

CBS4's Gary Nelson spoke to U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Gabe Somma who said  the number of refugees intercepted at sea so far this year alone has eclipsed all of those intercepted in  2013.

Click here to WATCH CBS4's Gary Nelson's report 

"It' s a very dangerous business taking to the sea in an unseaworthy vessel," Somma said. "Tragically, we see too many people dying at sea trying to get into this country illegally."

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