A boatload of Haitian migrants apprehended on the high seas trying to enter the country are expected to arrive in New Providence today, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force reported yesterday.

The migrants were discovered in the Central Bahamas early yesterday morning after their vessel was spotted by the Defence Force Airwing reconnaissance team, RBDF officials said in a press release.

After receiving information about the Haitian sloop near Green Cay, the Defence Force patrol craft HMBS P-121 was dispatched to the area to investigate, officials said.

It was then that the 45-ft grey and white Haitian sloop was found with a "large number" of Haitian migrants aboard, according to the press release, which did not specify the exact number of migrants apprehended.

As a result of the large number of migrants aboard the ship, RBDF officials said two additional craft were called in to assist with the apprehension.

"RBDF Patrol craft HMBS P-48 and P-49 were dispatched to the area to assist in the removal of the migrants," said officials. "They are expected to arrive in the capital early Thursday morning."