MIAMI (AP) _ The Coast Guard has repatriated 164 Haitian migrants who were interdicted at sea near the Bahamas. Coast Guard officials said Friday the group was taken to Cap Haitien, Haiti on Thursday.

The Haitians were aboard an overloaded 40-foot sailing freighter that was stopped near Long Island, Bahamas on Jan. 4. The Coast Guard Cutter Bear responded to the scene and brought the migrants on board.

The Haitians were all provided with food, water and basic medical care.

Authorities say Coast Guard vessels regularly patrol the Caribbean in part to look for overloaded vessels that can easily sink and lead to large losses of life.

The Bear and similar cutters will soon be replaced by a new version that can operate further from land.