The Bahamas have an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard to regularly fly over Cay Sal and other islands in the bank to look for people potentially stranded there.

In its interior there is a large salt pond commonly replenished by heavy wind-driven seas that broach the islet along its southwest side.

[1] From the 1960s to late 1970s the Royal Bahamas Defence Force kept a small outpost on Cay Sal island, which also had an airstrip.

[5] The United States Coast Guard constantly monitors Cay Sal and nearby islands for refugees from Cuba.

Refugees are reported to have employed a variety of craft including small, ill-equipped boats, in spite of the possibility of pursuit by the Cuban military.