Cuban Chugs

Dying To Be Free is the story of a man's life and death struggle to escape from Cuba, so he can
reunite with his wife in Key West and attend the wedding for the daughter he has never met.
Complications arise during the voyage, when a menacing interloper is brought aboard his makeshift boat.
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An action-adventure story about love, hope, deception, and the quest for freedom.
Inspired by true events in a story never before told.

Production stills from the documentary "The Chugs" shot during the discovery process for the film "Dying To Be Free".
Produced by Conch Republic Media Group and Cayo Hueso Productions.

Please click each picture below to enlarge.

Searching for lost refugees and to salvage "Chugs"
on the many uninhabited islands.

A deserted island, 25 miles from Key West, is only 2.5 miles square and in the middle of nowhere. Abandoned "Chugs" scatter the shores

Rotting hand made vessels lie lost forever in the mangroves.
This"Chug" although crudely made, survived the perilous voyage from Cuba and presumably delivered it's passengers to freedom.

This "Chug" has been selected for salvage. Its' relative good condition suggests that it has recently been abandoned by Cuban rafters who made it safely to shore.

George hauls the heavy tow line to shore in order to secure the "Chug" for towing back to Key West.

The recently beached "Chug" is readied for towing
from the shore into deeper waters and the removal of rainwater.

Captain Ricky Arnold directs the salvage operation prior to towing.

An old Russian Airline life preserver is discovered & inspected.

Intravenous saline bottles are among some of the items found.

The proud "Chug" is brought to Key West in preparation for filming.

The "Chug" undergoing restoration and preparation for the filming of water based recreation scenes in "The Chugs"	Dorothea Delgado provides a Psychic Reading about the "Chug" and it's diverse passengers that include a nine year old girl.
Historian "Dink" Bruce discusses the "Chugs" that he has recovered and placed on display at The Key West Botanical Garden.	Some of the possessions left behind by rescued refugees depict the unbelievable conditions that they endure while making their voyage.
Captain Ricky Arnold describes a propeller that was hand made from an aluminum kitchen pot.and salvaged from an abandoned "Chug"	A Cuban refugee relives his 12 day voyage at sea with only 4 days worth of food and minimal water for survival.
Captain Ricky Arnold retrieves scattered Cuban belongings that include a map plotting their course from Havana to Woman Key, a tiny uninhabited island located 15 miles west of Key West. The island has no food, no fresh water and no shelter. The Cubans were eventually rescued by the United States Coast Guard during a routine patrol.	A Cuban "Chug" fabricated from little more than a poly-tarp, urethane foam and a Fiat car engine is prepared for towing back to Key West. Three young men and one woman successfully made the dangerous 115 mile voyage from Havana to Ballast Key crossing open seas with no lights, no radio and no compass. The gas can was found empty.
The boat interior bottom has been repaired, fiber glassed and the old diesel engine removed in preparation for installation of a simulated engine. The boat will be used during filming of island scenes which will take place west of Key West.	A four cylinder Russian tractor engine was originally used to power the boat. It is direct drive from the exposed flywheel with no transmission. The pullies and belts are all exposed along with the hot exhaust manifold creating numerous safety hazards to the occupants.
The Harrowing voyage from LaBoca, Cuba to Key West, Florida in tiny makeshift boats called “Chugs" is a life and death journey through shark infested waters just for a chance at freedom.	Mariel is located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of the city of Havana. The town is situated on the south-east side of the Mariel bay. La Boca, Henequen, Mojica, Quiebra Hacha, Cabañas are major towns that conform the municipality of Mariel..
Rául's Russian motorcycle on a Havana street downstairs from Elena's © photo by Douglas Remington www.ethereallight.com	This Cuban plane at the Key West airport is the backdrop for the Centano-helicopter tarmac scene.
The bus hijacked by Fernando and his brother Nestor, later delivered to Raul's compound for cannibalization .	The Cuban Gunboat used to pursue Hugo and his four friends, directed from the helicopter by Captain Victor Centano.
The Havana street where Elena's apartment is located, halfway down and on the left. Rául's motorcycle with side car is parked out front.	The four cylinder diesel engine appears to be nearly brand new and is fresh water cooled. The prop shaft is bolted directly to the fly-wheel.
Craig Grant Hollenback, left and George Long guide the refugee boat along Smather's Beach in Key West in preparation for transport. The vessel is made from aluminum, white oak and fiberglass. photo by Mike Hentz	Executive Producer, Craig Grant Hollenback, left, helps Arnold’s Towing employee George Long pull a Cuban refugee boat off Smathers Beach as Ricky Arnold, right, prepares the tow hook. photo by Mike Hentz

WGA# 1227372
Writers Guild of America