Some Crazy Cubans...

[the_faceman]

MIAMI (Reuters) - The 12 Cubans who tried to sail a 1951 Chevy truck from the communist-ruled island to the United States got no marks from U.S. authorities for their creativity.

The would-be emigrants were sent back home.

Since Fidel Castro (news - web sites)'s 1959 revolution, Cubans have tried to leave the Caribbean island on rudimentary rafts, on giant truck inner tubes, in stolen boats and planes, even by windsurfer.

But no one remembers anyone attempting the 90-mile (145-km) crossing of the Florida Straits in a floating flatbed truck with 55-gallon (250-litre) drums strapped to its sides, tires still in place, a propeller attached to its drive shaft and a driver behind the wheel.

"We've seen surfboards, pieces of Styrofoam, bathtubs, refrigerators. But never an automobile," Coast Guard Petty Officer Ryan Doss said on Thursday.

A U.S. government plane spotted the bright-green truck chugging through the water at 8 mph (13 kph) on July 16 about 40 miles (64 km) south of Key West, just over halfway from Cuba to Florida. The Cubans had fashioned a makeshift, bright yellow shelter on the truck's bed.

"The truck's engine was actually running, propelling it through the water," Doss said.

The Coast Guard picked up the 12 Cubans from the vintage vehicle and took them back to the island on Sunday.

The truck was deemed a hazard to navigation and was sent to the bottom.

Under the U.S. immigration policy known as "wet foot, dry foot," Cubans who manage to set foot on U.S. soil are usually allowed to stay while those stopped at sea are routinely sent back to Cuba.

[balamm]

The idiot coast guard scuttled a 51 chevy? What a bunch of total idiots!

Some one should be shot. Or at the very least court martialed,

[the_faceman]

i don't know much about old american cars/trucks. I take it that the '51 Chevy is a hunk o' junk worth holding on to?

[BAZ_CELEBS]

Yes big shame on the truck!
I was in the UK Coastguards, No Gun ships though for us, Just hand cuffs & Bodybags.

Picture taken at RAF Coltishall, I was based at Sheringham on The Norfolk Coast.
Our main problem was Drugs being bought in on dingies & Small Yachts.
Baz

[ToraBoraDweller]

Why were they stopped in the 1st place ??

At last there is a chance on some creative newcomers and look they encounter a floating burocracy.

[tite-wad]

Originally posted by ToraBoraDweller@25 July 2003 - 14:29
Why were they stopped in the 1st place ??

I think they were pulled over for failing to signal a turn.

[balamm]

Originally posted by the_faceman@25 July 2003 - 12:04
i don't know much about old american cars/trucks. I take it that the '51 Chevy is a hunk o' junk worth holding on to?

That truck would likely fetch a minimum $20,000 in the condition it appeared to be in.
I've seen them at $50,000 and higher. Look at the headlight rims and other chrome. Those parts alone would have been worth a small salvage fee to have it towed in.
With new trucks selling from $40,000 to $120,000, and being largely disposable in a couple of years, there is a growing trend towards restoration.
Even with some larger trucking companies, But especially among truck enthusiasts.

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by BAZ_CELEBS@25 July 2003 - 18:34
Yes big shame on the truck!
I was in the UK Coastguards, No Gun ships though for us, Just hand cuffs & Bodybags.

Picture taken at RAF Coltishall, I was based at Sheringham on The Norfolk Coast.
Our main problem was Drugs being bought in on dingies & Small Yachts.
Baz

Coopering, often using RIBs.

[tite-wad]

@ balamm - Would they have been worth that much after a trip through the briny Gulf?

[BAZ_CELEBS]

Not knocking the Uk Gov, But when you look at what the USA Coastguard have, Then look at what our team had to put up with,

I was proud to be a part of the Uk Coastguard, But i find pictures like this quite embarrassing.
As for salvage, if it's a danger and can't be moved Quickly it will be blown up, The Shipping lanes around the Norfolk Coast are very busy, An item like a 1951 Chevy truck Hitting an oil tanker or a gas rig would make an ecological disaster all along this Coastline.