21 stowaways captured on Houston Ship Channel

The Houston Chronicle ^ | November 4, 2002 | S. K. Bardwell

[Illbay]

21 stowaways captured
on Houston Ship Channel

By S.K. BARDWELL

Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

Seven stowaways who leaped from a Honduran barge into the Houston Ship Channel and 14 more found on board the barge are being detained by immigration officials.

The barge, El Jaguar, is being searched by agents from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, who believe at least two more stowaways may be hiding there or could have jumped into the water.

The incident began about 10 a.m. today, as the barge was making its way to Jacinto Port, said Port Authority spokeswoman Felicia Griffin.

Four people leaped from the moving barge at Morgan's Point, and an additional three jumped into the water at the Fred Hartman Bridge, Griffin said.

Those seven were taken into custody as they reached land, and INS agents who boarded the barge after it docked at Jacinto Port found 14 more stowaways: 12 men and two women.

The barge makes routine trips between Honduras, where it is registered, and Jacinto Port, Griffin said. Its ownership is currently unknown.

Griffin said the stowaways on board the vessel will be held there until the barge leaves, and it will be the vessel's responsibility to return them to Honduras.

Those taken into custody on land may be placed back on the barge to be returned or may be flown back later, Griffin said.

[cake_crumb]

21 less votes for Democrats tomorrow.

[xJones]

Dingbats. They took the cruise tour instead of just wading across the Rio Grande.

[humblegunner]

I didn't know anyone could jump into the
ship channel and survive the experience.
Last I heard, it was mostly flammable.

[blam]

"I didn't know anyone could jump into the ship channel and survive the experience. Last I heard, it was mostly flammable."

They're all the time jumping overboard and swimming/wading ashore here in Mobile Bay too.

[Reelect President Dubya]

When will the ACLU file the lawsuit on their behalf?

[TexKat]

Those taken into custody on land may be placed back on the barge to be returned or may be flown back later,

________________________________________________________

Oh, just fly them back, and then while enroute if they decide to jump, let them go right ahead.

JUMP, GO AHEAD, JUMP, WHAT YOU WAITING FOR, JUMP.

[mathluv]

I would not want to be in that water!

[battlegearboat]

Houston, my Houston!
Pristine waters of Bayous plenty,
air so pure you can see forever!

Houston, my lovely Houston,
where folks dine along the twinkling ship channel.
where the rocket's red glare,
is seen after being launched from somewhere else.

Houston, home of the "Welcome Wagon"
friendly "Stop and Go" staffers give directions
to streets that change their names at every bend
and drivers so friendly you want to kiss them with something

Houston my Houston!
I lived there long ago
No other city could come so close
to earn my love so much.

Houston, my Houston!
I went crazy there
Now I make baskets and finger paint
the skyline of Houston on my cell wall.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Yeah, it wouldn't surprise me if they got chemical burns.

[Txslady]

LOL

[Hila]

No,no more representation for illegals, we will now use our lawyers to represent citizens and legal residents. Back to Honduras with each one of them, before they stumble into islam.