A makeshift boat holding 11 men and five women sought refuge at the Grand Cayman Islands on Thursday but was turned away and forced to go back to sea.

Officials at the Cayman Islands upheld a 1999 migration agreement with Cuba which allows boats to pass through their waters but are not permitted to seek assistance.  If the 16 occupants of the boat came ashore, they would have been immediately taken into custody and be repatriated to Cuba.

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The 20-foot boat was made out of fiberglass and aluminium, with makeshift outriggers lined with inner tubes.  The migrants built the boat in secret and left Cuba, undetected.

The passengers age range from 18 to 40 years old.  They had been at sea for 5 days and survived with no shade from the sun and rough seas due to hurricane Cristobal.

By the time the boat reached the Cayman Islands, they had run out of drinkable water. However, well-wishers on land were not allowed to give the migrants water, food, or any other kind of assisstance.

The passengers were mostly from Manzanillo, a small town in the east of communist-run Cuba.  The passengers said, they took the risk of going out to sea since there are no jobs available and they have no way to make a living in their homeland.  They said they had no future in Cuba if they stayed.

After their denied entry to the Cayman Islands, the boat headed back to sea towards the Honduras.  If they reach their destination, it is expected that they will attempt to make their way to enter the  U.S. via the Mexican border.

The boat was only one of the hundreds that stop at the Cayman Islands enroute to the Honduras though it is estimated there could be more but are able to pass without being seen by officials.

TagsCuba, illegal immigrants, Havana, Cayman Islands, US immigration