Authorities said yesterday they had no idea just how many undocumented Haitian immigrants were aboard a sloop that ran aground at Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera, Wednesday evening, but they picked up 14 of them.
Eddie Ferguson, chief immigration officer, told The Nassau Guardian that between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. residents of the area noticed a group of suspected Haitian immigrants walking near a beach.
Ferguson said authorities apprehended 12 men and two women, who were taken to Governor's Harbour Police Station for processing.
It was unclear where the illegal immigrants traveled from, although Ferguson said based on preliminary reports it's suspected they came from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
"We do not know the exact circumstances of where they were heading either and we can't say at this point what has happened to the vessel they arrived on," Ferguson said.
"Right now preliminary investigations are going on, but normally in situations like this we try to identify the captain, but they are normally reluctant in giving up the captain's name."
Ferguson said the immigrants were transported to Nassau yesterday for further processing.
When asked if the Department of Immigration felt a significant proportion of immigrants evaded apprehension, Ferguson said, "I am pretty confident we got the vast majority because the area is not a very populated one."
He added that it is much easier for Haitian immigrants to blend in, in Exuma and certain parts of Eleuthera where there is a large population of Haitians.
"We will continue to follow up and solicit the public's help," Ferguson said.
"Local authorities do their own checks, but we rely on the goodwill of the people. For some reason it doesn't seem like the route normally used for this type of operation, so we have more questions than answers at this time."

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