The 2,052-berth Carnival Ecstasy (built 1991) pulled the Cubans to safety Tuesday evening after finding them taking on water.

Coast Guard Captain Todd Lutes said the migrants are lucky to be alive.

“Taking to the sea in an unseaworthy vessel without proper life saving equipment can be a deadly decision. Had it not been for the cruise ship Ecstasy this voyage could have ended in tragedy,” he said.

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