Cuban authorities announced on Thursday the discovery of an abandoned dinghy on March 20, 2024, in the Cayo Levisa area of La Palma municipality, Pinar del Río. An official report from the Pinar del Río Port Captaincy, cited by the state-run newspaper Granma, describes the boat as having a gray rubber hull with the name "WEFT MARINE" displayed on the port side.
The dinghy is equipped with a base for a motor, grab ropes, and a towing ring at the bow with a piece of chain attached. Authorities have stated that individuals or entities who believe they have a claim to the boat must present themselves at the Pinar del Río Port Captaincy, located at Politécnico 1ro de Mayo Final, within 30 days of this notice's publication.
To claim ownership, interested parties must provide legal documentation proving their possession or ownership of the found vessel. This find adds to a series of recent discoveries of abandoned boats along Cuban shores.
Other Recent Boat Discoveries
In June 2024, the Nueva Gerona Port Captaincy reported the discovery of a motorless boat on the beach of Hotel Villa Linda Mar in Cayo Largo del Sur. The boat, which was white and blue, measured 4.80 meters in length and carried the identification number TFT 2099.
Similarly, in May 2024, another Zodiac-type boat was found in the Juan Claro Channel in Martí municipality, Matanzas province. This vessel measured 2.50 meters in length and bore the name "Golden Ship" on the port side.
Regular Challenges for Cuban Authorities
Cuban authorities frequently encounter such abandoned vessels, particularly along the nation's coastline. It is suspected that some of these boats are used by migrants attempting to reach southern Florida, or by human or drug traffickers who abandon the boats when detected by authorities.
In all these instances, the Cuban regime issues a 30-day period for legal owners to claim their boats by presenting the necessary documentation.