KINGS POINT, N.Y., March 29, 2023 - Early morning, March 4th, 2023, the container ship, M/V National Glory, conducted its second rescue in the Straits of Florida, in just a month. At 0140 hours, Second Mate on watch, Jack Harper, observed two lights flashing at an uneven tempo, realizing they did not match up with any nearby aids to navigation, he woke Third Mate Joseph Mannion, United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Alumnus, Class of 2022, and asked him to assist on deck.

Third Mate Mannion rushed to the bow and confirmed that there was a group of Cuban asylum seekers on a broken-down raft screaming for help. Mannion, who speaks Spanish, directed the desperate refugees to approach the larger vessel’s starboard side as its crew created a lee. Then Chief Mate Alex Jenkins and Mannion led the operation of transferring the passengers via the accommodation ladder. USMMA Second Class Midshipmen, Engine Cadet Joseph Franco and Deck Cadet Cole Simmons, assisted the Licensed Deck Officers in bringing all 15 Cuban nationals to safety. 

Once aboard, the exhausted travelers explained that they had been adrift for five days after their engine broke down. Their situation became increasingly dire, as they were without of food and water for several days and ship after ship missing their pleas for help.

Mannion said, “We brought the group to the officers’ lounge. I gathered information while the cadets brought them food, water, and blankets, and Captain Darl Langford contacted shoreside operations staff and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to set-up a rendezvous.”

The cadets remained with the migrants while Mannion turned his attention to one who was experiencing breathing difficulties. After meeting their immediate needs, the Third Mate and cadets prepared and served a warm meal to their short-term guests before transferring them to a USCG cutter. Cadets Simmons and Franco helped each of the migrants down the pilot ladder to the cutter’s tender. By 0900, the migrants and their few possessions were in the safe hands of the USCG.

Surprisingly, this was not the first rescue for these Kings Point heroes; on February 4th, they under the leadership of Chief Mate Matt Bozich, USMMA Class of 2012, rescued 21 other Cuban refugees who were adrift for three days in a sinking skiff.

Third Mate Mannion, said, “It was very gratifying to help these people.” He added, “It's quite rare to have an opportunity - or two - like we had to make such a difference. One is seldom given the chance to make a big impact like this; I am glad that we were in the right place, at the right time, and most importantly: that we were ready. Acta Non Verba! “