BY TRENTON DANIEL

The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 73 Haitian migrants to their homeland after the maritime agency interdicted a vessel near Soldier Key in Miami, authorities said Thursday.

A citizen tipped off Coast Guard Miami Sector Sunday morning, saying there was a possible landing of 50 to 60 migrants near the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne.

Coast Guard crews, along with state and local agencies, responded that day and found 73 Haitian migrants aboard a 30-foot, grounded sail freighter.

The migrants were returned to Cap-Haitien, Haiti's second largest city, on Wednesday.

Every year, hundreds of Haitians take boats heading to South Florida and the Bahamas in an effort to flee economic hardship where food and other basic necessities are out of reach.

The U.S. Coast Guard has interdicted 1,377 migrants so far this year, compared to 1,582 in all of 2008 and 1,610 in 2007. Untold numbers set out but are never found.

Once aboard Coast Guard cutters, migrants are provided necessary medical care, food, water and shelter.