boatlift

[ boht-lift ]

noun

1. an operation in which large numbers of people or vast quantities of supplies are transported by ships or boats in an emergency.

Word History and Origins

Origin of boatlift¹

boat + lift, perhaps modeled on airlift

Example Sentences

But what he could do is make an affirmative case to the American people about why Venezuelans in particular need protection and how they can benefit local economies under the right circumstances, and then link them to well-regarded past efforts to welcome large numbers of people fleeing ideologically hostile regimes, such as the Mariel boatlift that brought more than 125,000 Cubans to the United States in 1980.

From Slate

The term later was used to denigrate Cubans who sought to flee the country during the short Camarioca boatlift of 1965 and on the ensuing Freedom Flights that brought 250,000 Cubans, including my family, to Miami through 1971.

From Seattle Times

And who doesn’t remember Castro demonizing Cubans fleeing on the Mariel boatlift as escoria — scum — slander that carried into early exile?

From Seattle Times

Another formative experience was watching protesters target colonial buildings during the turmoil of the Mariel boatlift, a massive migration of Cubans to Florida in 1980.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1980, more than 100,000 Cubans arrived there as part of the Mariel boatlift.

From New York Times