A Cuban man found alone on a makeshift raft about 16 miles east of Key Biscayne was rescued Monday, Oct. 12, after a good Samaritan reported seeing him at sea, federal officials said. The caller alerted authorities over VHF Channel 16, a marine radio channel. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations and the U.S. Coast Guard responded and located the man, according to CBP. A photo released by the agency showed a small float made from what appeared to be Styrofoam, wood planks and rope. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue evaluated the man and medically cleared him before he was transferred to the Coast Guard cutter Melvin Bell for further processing. CBP said the man was “fortunate to be alive” and warned that open-water journeys on makeshift vessels can quickly become fatal. The agency described the incident as an attempt at illegal maritime migration; officials did not provide further details about the man or his condition.