On Friday April 12 at approximately 4 p.m., while the cruise ship Carnival Conquest was approximately 40 miles off the coast of Key West, Fla., the ship spotted a raft with 13 individuals on board.

In coordination with the United States Coast Guard, the 13 Cuban nationals were taken on board the Carnival Conquest and provided food, water and medical treatment.  The Carnival Conquest rendezvoused with a U. S. Coast Guard cutter late last night near Key West to transfer them