In a significant multiagency operation, the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Regiment patrol vessel James Fulford, with help from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), intercepted a vessel illegally carrying 240 migrants in TCI territorial waters on May 31, 2026. After evaluating the vessel, the RTCIPF immediately upgraded the mission to a critical incident, prioritizing Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) protocols to avert a maritime disaster.
“This mission underscores the efficacy of our multi-agency partnerships,” Lt. Col. Ennis Grant, commanding officer of the TCI Regiment, said in a Regiment news release. “The rapid transition of this operation from a standard interdiction task to a high-priority SOLAS intervention demonstrates the professionalism and readiness of our joint forces. By working in seamless tandem with our U.S. partners, we successfully prevented a potential maritime tragedy.”
The Coast Guard Southeast District command center initially received a report of an unlawful migrant vessel traveling 15 miles south of the TCI, a Coast Guard news release said. The boat was overloaded and taking on water. The command center diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Miami 144 aircrew to help guide two TCI Regiment and RTCIPF marine units to the scene.
After the lifesaving operation, the 240 passengers were handed over to the RTCIPF Marine Branch and then were transferred to the TCI Border Force for processing and screenings for health and security. The passengers claimed Haitian nationality and included 191 men, 44 women, one male minor and four female minors, the TCI Regiment release said.
“The successful interdiction and safe removal of these individuals from a perilous situation was made possible by the close collaboration and swift response of the Coast Guard, CBP [Air and Marine Operations] personnel, and authorities from the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Lt. Chelsea Garcia, Coast Guard deputy director of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos, said in the Coast Guard release. “We strongly advise anyone considering participating in an unlawful maritime migration attempt to reconsider. These journeys are extremely hazardous, frequently involving severely overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels that are often taking on water and lack basic life-saving equipment. We encourage all individuals to pursue safe, legal, and orderly avenues for migration rather than risking their lives at sea.”
The U.S. Coast Guard, along with its Operation Vigilant Sentry partners, maintains a presence in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage and the Caribbean Sea with air, land and sea assets. Vigilant Sentry’s multilayered approach protects lives at sea while preventing unlawful maritime entry into the United States and its territories. The TCI Regiment and other TCI agencies remain committed to securing maritime borders and upholding the safety and security of the Turks and Caicos Islands through surveillance and interagency cooperation.
The James Fulford, the TCI Regiment’s newest patrol vessel, was built by SAFE Boats International and officially commissioned on February 18. The vessel is named in honor of James Edward “Bobby” Fulford, a World War II veteran from Grand Turk celebrated for his lifelong dedication and service to the TCI.