Miami Herald Reports Stolen 13-foot Boat Used to go to Cuba

[RWM]

November 11
In a reverse of which direction boat traffic usually travels in the Florida Straits, a man stole a vessel from the Keys and headed to, and landed in, Cuba, authorities say.

Unlike Cuban migrants who make it to the Keys, Shawn Michael Luskey, 38, will be repatriated to face a felony charge of vessel theft, says the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The agency didn't know where he is from.

Deputy Becky Herrin says Luskey was caught by Cuban border agents at Havana Harbor at 5 p.m. Oct. 31. He reportedly was in white 13-foot Boston Whaler that was stolen earlier from Murray Marine on Stock Island. Photos of the vessel from Cuban authorities show the Florida registration numbers on the stolen vessel, Herrin said.

She said the boat owner reported the vessel missing the day before Luskey arrived in Cuba (the boat has a 40 horsepower engine); the owner had left the keys in the ignition.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c ... rylink=cpy

[jimh]

A 90-mile ocean passage in a boat with a 40-HP engine--how much fuel was it carrying? Usually a 13-footer wouldn't have more than 12-gallons of fuel aboard. To make 90-miles on 12-gallons you'd need 7.5-MPG. I wonder if the thief worked out the fuel economy and how much fuel he'd need before he stole the 13-footer.

The boat pictured in the newspaper website article does not look like a Boston Whaler. It looks more like a knock-off.

[Blowdega]

That's quite a joy ride

Doesn't sound like the sharpest tool in the shed, but a gutsy move no doubt.