Only two of 24 persons on board a motorized boat (40 horse power motor) that set out to reach Puerto Rico on Friday afternoon have been rescued. José Antonio Molina was rescued at 7:30 am on Saturday by a Panamanian flag ship, and Osiris Morales by a Hong Kong flag ship. Their ship had capsized in front of Saona Island due to bad weather. They said those on the trip had paid organizers RD$8,000 to RD$9,000 to try to make the illegal crossing to Puerto Rico. Rear Admiral Victor García Alecont said that they will not be sent to justice as the psychological trauma of their near death is sufficient punishment. The Dominican Navy under García Alecont has been very successful in stopping boat crossing traffic.
